Wage data
Respiratory Therapists Salary in San Jose
The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Jose is $149,680 per year, with most earning between $131,520 and $168,980 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Jose wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $98,000 |
| 25th percentile | $131,520 |
| Median (50th) | $149,680 |
| 75th percentile | $168,980 |
| 90th percentile | $178,580 |
How San Jose compares to the national average
The San Jose median ($149,680) runs 82% above the national median of $82,280.
| San Jose median | $149,680 |
| National median | $82,280 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Respiratory Therapists in San Jose:
- Entry-level Respiratory Therapists in San Jose (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $98,000 to $131,520.
- Early-career Respiratory Therapists in San Jose (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $131,520 to $149,680.
- Mid-career Respiratory Therapists in San Jose (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $149,680 to $168,980.
- Senior Respiratory Therapists in San Jose (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $168,980 to $178,580.
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 Jose?
The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Jose is $149,680 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $131,520 and $168,980 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Respiratory Therapists earn in San Jose?
The 90th percentile Respiratory Therapists wage in San Jose is $178,580 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Respiratory Therapists pay in San Jose compare to the national average?
The San Jose median ($149,680) runs 82% 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 Jose 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.
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