Wage data
Respiratory Therapists Salary in San Diego
The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Diego is $105,040 per year, with most earning between $87,410 and $125,840 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Diego wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $82,140 |
| 25th percentile | $87,410 |
| Median (50th) | $105,040 |
| 75th percentile | $125,840 |
| 90th percentile | $131,440 |
How San Diego compares to the national average
The San Diego median ($105,040) runs 28% above the national median of $82,280.
| San Diego median | $105,040 |
| National median | $82,280 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Respiratory Therapists in San Diego:
- Entry-level Respiratory Therapists in San Diego (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $82,140 to $87,410.
- Early-career Respiratory Therapists in San Diego (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $87,410 to $105,040.
- Mid-career Respiratory Therapists in San Diego (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $105,040 to $125,840.
- Senior Respiratory Therapists in San Diego (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $125,840 to $131,440.
About the role
Key skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning.
In-demand tools: eClinicalWorks EHR, MEDITECH, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint.
Typical education: Associate's Degree (83%), Bachelor's Degree (12%), Post-Secondary Certificate (5%).
Related occupations: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Paramedics, Acute Care Nurses, Radiation Therapists.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Diego?
The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Diego is $105,040 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $87,410 and $125,840 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Respiratory Therapists earn in San Diego?
The 90th percentile Respiratory Therapists wage in San Diego is $131,440 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Respiratory Therapists pay in San Diego compare to the national average?
The San Diego median ($105,040) runs 28% above the national median of $82,280. All figures are from the federal wage survey (OEWS May 2025).
How do I know if a Respiratory Therapists salary offer in San Diego is competitive?
Compare the offer against these percentiles: an offer near the median is at market for a typical hire, while your experience level shifts the band you should be judged against. The free counter calculator places a specific number in this distribution, and the full analysis adds live market data and the exact range to counter with.
Have an offer in hand? See exactly where it stands against this data — with your experience level, live market ranges, and the specific range to counter with.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Estimates are market-informed, not guarantees. How we read this data.
All Respiratory Therapists salary data · Respiratory Therapists salary in San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco