Respiratory Therapist Salary in Florida (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Respiratory Therapists in Florida, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Florida Median
$81,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $82,280
State Rank
#27 of 51
8,820 employed here

How much does a Respiratory Therapist make in Florida?

Respiratory Therapists in Florida take home a median of $81,160 annually — roughly $39.02 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $82,280.

Within Florida, entry-level pay starts around $64,240 while the top 10% make $100,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,210 and $87,990 a year.

Respiratory Therapist salary range in Florida

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,240$30.88
25th percentile (early career)$75,210$36.16
50th percentile (median)$81,160$39.02
75th percentile (experienced)$87,990$42.30
90th percentile (top earners)$100,310$48.23

How Florida compares

Florida ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories for Respiratory Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$111,950
2New York$107,810
3California$104,820
4Massachusetts$102,170
5Washington$101,130

Working as a Respiratory Therapist in Florida

Nationally, about 140,000 people work as Respiratory Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Florida pay ($81,160) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Respiratory Therapist make in Florida?
The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Florida is $81,160 per year, or about $39.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,240 at the entry level to $100,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Florida pay compare to the national average?
Florida pays Respiratory Therapists about 1% less than the national median of $82,280. Florida ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Florida a good state for Respiratory Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,160 a year. About 8,820 Respiratory Therapists are employed in Florida. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Florida?
The highest-paying occupations in Florida include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($473,750), Anesthesiologist ($465,370), Surgeon, All Other ($429,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Respiratory Therapist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.