BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina

$81,360 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$39.12 per hour

▼ 6.8% below U.S. average25th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$81,360per year
Median$80,090per year
Hourly$39.12per hour
10th – 90th percentile$63,990 – $99,520per year

Respiratory Therapists Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,990
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$68,010
  • 50th Percentile — Median$80,090
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$87,820
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,520

Half of Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina earn more than $80,090. The top 10% make $99,520 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,990.

Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 25th of 51 states for Respiratory Therapists pay, at $81,360 per year (6.8% below the U.S. average of $87,300).
  • 4,630 people work as Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina — 3.3% of all U.S. Respiratory Therapists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.04: Respiratory Therapists jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,990; the top 10% earn over $99,520.
  • Hourly equivalent: $39.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New York at $110,200.
  • Among healthcare jobs in North Carolina, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($377,270).

Respiratory Therapists Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Respiratory Therapists here earn $81,360 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $81,360 is roughly equivalent to $89,407 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($84,920), North Dakota ($84,710), Vermont ($84,640) are the closest alternatives for Respiratory Therapists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Respiratory Therapists salary in North Carolina?

The average Respiratory Therapists salary in North Carolina is $81,360 per year (median $80,090), which is 6.8% below the national average of $87,300.

How does North Carolina rank for Respiratory Therapists pay?

North Carolina ranks 25th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New York ($110,200/yr).

How much do entry-level Respiratory Therapists make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina earn about $63,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $68,010.

How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in North Carolina?

About $39.12 per hour, based on the $81,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Respiratory Therapists work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 4,630 Respiratory Therapists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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