Wisconsin ranks 16th of 51 states and D.C. for respiratory therapists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($104,240) by $22,080 — a 27% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $67,270 to $96,400 — a $29,130 spread, 38% tighter than the national $46,920 range.
Respiratory Therapists are less concentrated in Wisconsin than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.75 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.33× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| 25th percentile | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| 75th percentile | $89,370 | $42.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,400 | $46.35 |
| Mean (average) | $82,530 | $39.68 |
How Wisconsin Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin (current) | $82,160 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $104,240 | +27% |
| New York | $103,820 | +26% |
| California | $102,120 | +24% |
| New Jersey | $98,020 | +19% |
| Washington | $97,150 | +18% |
| Massachusetts | $96,940 | +18% |
| Oregon | $96,130 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $94,670 | +15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Wisconsin
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $81,850 | 3,820 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,740 | 830 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $81,550 | 1,780 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $82,780 | 7,960 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,460 | 13,160 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,410 | 5,760 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Respiratory Therapists salary in Wisconsin?
The mean respiratory therapists salary in Wisconsin is $82,530 per year. The median (middle) salary is $82,160 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Respiratory Therapists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level respiratory therapistss (10th percentile) in Wisconsin typically earn around $67,270 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $75,610 per year.
What is the highest Respiratory Therapists salary in Wisconsin?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Wisconsin make approximately $96,400 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $89,370 per year.
How does the Wisconsin Respiratory Therapists salary compare to the national average?
The median respiratory therapists salary in Wisconsin is $82,160, which is +2% above national average of $80,450.