Respiratory Therapists Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,330
- 25th Percentile — Junior$63,110
- 50th Percentile — Median$72,750
- 75th Percentile — Senior$79,730
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$92,540
Half of Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky earn more than $72,750. The top 10% make $92,540 or more, while entry-level workers start around $58,330.
Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 46th of 51 states for Respiratory Therapists pay, at $72,470 per year (17.0% below the U.S. average of $87,300).
- 2,530 people work as Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky — 1.8% of all U.S. Respiratory Therapists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.41: Respiratory Therapists jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,330; the top 10% earn over $92,540.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.84 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is New York at $110,200.
- Among healthcare jobs in Kentucky, Radiologists pays the most ($338,210).
Respiratory Therapists Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Respiratory Therapists here earn $72,470 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $72,470 is roughly equivalent to $87,313 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Louisiana ($74,690), Iowa ($74,260), New Mexico ($73,720) are the closest alternatives for Respiratory Therapists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Radiologists $338,210/yr Kentucky +366.7% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $331,860/yr Kentucky +357.9% vs this role
- Anesthesiologists $310,560/yr Kentucky +328.5% vs this role
- Surgeons All Other $271,370/yr Kentucky +274.5% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $268,360/yr Kentucky +270.3% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $254,740/yr Kentucky +251.5% vs this role
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $250,140/yr Kentucky +245.2% vs this role
- Dermatologists $249,200/yr Kentucky +243.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Respiratory Therapists salary in Kentucky?
The average Respiratory Therapists salary in Kentucky is $72,470 per year (median $72,750), which is 17.0% below the national average of $87,300.
How does Kentucky rank for Respiratory Therapists pay?
Kentucky ranks 46th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New York ($110,200/yr).
How much do entry-level Respiratory Therapists make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky earn about $58,330 per year and the 25th percentile is $63,110.
How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Kentucky?
About $34.84 per hour, based on the $72,470 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Respiratory Therapists work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 2,530 Respiratory Therapists jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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