Respiratory Therapist Salary in Rhode Island
Based on 260+ workers in Rhode Island
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (RI)
$86,900
$41.78/hr
vs National Average
$83,882
+3.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$73K – $122K
260 employed in Rhode Island
Salary Distribution — Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,240 |
| 25th percentile | $83,040 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $86,900 |
| 75th percentile | $102,500 |
| 90th percentile | $122,120 |
Top-Paying Industries for Respiratory Therapist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Respiratory Therapists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Respiratory Therapists in Rhode Island tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $138,620 | 50 |
| Educational Services | $97,360 | 800 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $82,630 | 129K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $81,120 | 200 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $80,250 | 4K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Rhode Island) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $75,170 |
| 2023 | $79,880 |
| 2024 | $83,600 |
| 2025 | $86,900 |
| 2026 (projected) | $90,330 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Rhode Island Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $75,170 | $70,362 |
| 2023 | $79,880 | $76,440 |
| 2024 | $83,600 | $80,241 |
| 2025 | $86,900 | $83,882 |
| 2026 (projected) | $90,330 | $87,193 |
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $83,040 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $86,900 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $102,500 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $122,120 |
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Other States
Related Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Rhode Island
How other high-demand occupations in Rhode Island compare to Respiratory Therapist ($86,900 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Respiratory Therapist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physician in RI | $512,730 | +490.0% | $246.50/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in RI | $467,160 | +437.6% | $224.60/hr |
| Cardiologist in RI | $395,610 | +355.2% | $190.20/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in RI | $379,490 | +336.7% | $182.45/hr |
| Psychiatrist in RI | $287,610 | +231.0% | $138.27/hr |
| Pediatrician in RI | $218,080 | +151.0% | $104.85/hr |
| Surgeon in RI | $199,990 | +130.1% | $96.15/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in RI | $166,390 | +91.5% | $80.00/hr |
| Dentist in RI | $161,560 | +85.9% | $77.67/hr |
| Podiatrist in RI | $159,760 | +83.8% | $76.81/hr |
| Physician Assistant in RI | $139,930 | +61.0% | $67.27/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in RI | $135,970 | +56.5% | $65.37/hr |