Respiratory Therapists salary
in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Middle 50%
- $131,520–$168,980
- vs U.S. median
- +82%
- Metro rank
- #1 of 139
Respiratory Therapists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro earn a median of $149,680 a year, based on BLS estimates for 1,060 jobs (May 2025). That is 82% above the U.S. median of $82,280 and 43% above the CA statewide median of $104,820. It ranks #1 of 139 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE1,060 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Respiratory Therapists pay in other CA metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $134,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,220 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,220 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,640 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,870 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $102,760 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,250 |
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Questions
What is the average Respiratory Therapists salary in San Jose?
The BLS median is $149,680 a year (May 2025). Half of the 1,060 jobs pay between $131,520 and $168,980. The 10th percentile is $98,000 and the 90th is $178,580.
Is San Jose a high-paying metro for Respiratory Therapists?
That is 82% above the U.S. median of $82,280 and 43% above the CA statewide median of $104,820. It ranks #1 of 139 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Respiratory Therapists make an hour in San Jose?
About $71.96 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $149,680 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $63.23–$81.24 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.