Respiratory Therapist Salary in New Jersey (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$100,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $82,280
State Rank
#6 of 51
3,350 employed here

How much does a Respiratory Therapist make in New Jersey?

A Respiratory Therapist working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $100,810 per year, or about $48.47 per hour. That is 23% above the national median of $82,280 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $78,000 while the top 10% make $123,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $87,560 and $106,320 a year.

Respiratory Therapist salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$78,000$37.50
25th percentile (early career)$87,560$42.10
50th percentile (median)$100,810$48.47
75th percentile (experienced)$106,320$51.12
90th percentile (top earners)$123,370$59.31

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 6th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($100,810) 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 New Jersey?
The median Respiratory Therapist salary in New Jersey is $100,810 per year, or about $48.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $78,000 at the entry level to $123,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Respiratory Therapists about 23% more than the national median of $82,280. New Jersey ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Respiratory Therapists?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,810 a year. About 3,350 Respiratory Therapists are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.