Wisconsin Median
$84,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $82,280
State Rank
#18 of 51
1,940 employed here
How much does a Respiratory Therapist make in Wisconsin?
Respiratory Therapists in Wisconsin take home a median of $84,210 annually — roughly $40.49 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $82,280.
Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $70,520 while the top 10% make $100,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,800 and $96,510 a year.
Respiratory Therapist salary range in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,520 | $33.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $78,800 | $37.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $84,210 | $40.49 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,510 | $46.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,320 | $48.23 |
|
How Wisconsin compares
Wisconsin ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories for Respiratory Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Respiratory Therapist salary in other states
District of Columbia $111,950New York $107,810California $104,820Massachusetts $102,170Washington $101,130New Jersey $100,810Oregon $100,560Minnesota $98,710Alaska $97,950New Hampshire $95,940Hawaii $94,210Delaware $91,080Maryland $88,960Rhode Island $86,900Colorado $86,220Nevada $85,480Connecticut $85,230Illinois $84,090Vermont $83,820Georgia $83,700Virginia $82,910Maine $82,470Nebraska $81,590North Dakota $81,230Montana $81,190Florida $81,160Utah $80,650North Carolina $80,090Ohio $79,920Michigan $79,850Arizona $79,780Indiana $79,730Texas $79,540Wyoming $79,330Oklahoma $78,800Pennsylvania $78,490Idaho $78,460Missouri $78,390South Carolina $77,740Kansas $76,970Louisiana $75,240Iowa $74,760Arkansas $73,870Kentucky $72,750Tennessee $72,140New Mexico $68,870West Virginia $68,670South Dakota $68,240Alabama $66,150Mississippi $63,270
Working as a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin pay ($84,210) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Wisconsin is $84,210 per year, or about $40.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $70,520 at the entry level to $100,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Respiratory Therapists about 2% more than the national median of $82,280. Wisconsin ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Respiratory Therapists?
Yes on pay — Wisconsin pays above the national median for this occupation, at $84,210 a year. About 1,940 Respiratory Therapists are employed in Wisconsin. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), 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.