CA · Novato · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Novato, CA

The median respiratory therapist pay in the Novato area is $63.13 per hour ($131,320 a year), with the typical range running from $49.28 to $69.58. That ranks 3rd of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 6th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Novato. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Novato.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Novato, CA

The metro median is 29% above the California statewide median of $49.10 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 1,940 respiratory therapists employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.91).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$45.64$94,93018% above U.S. median
Lower quartile$49.28$102,50027% above U.S. median
Median$63.13$131,32063% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$69.58$144,73080% above U.S. median
Top 10%$73.09$152,03089% above U.S. median

How Novato ranks

  • 3rd of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 6th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 16 California metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Novato

  • Overall prices in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont run 16% above the U.S. average (index 115.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 95% above the U.S. average (index 194.7).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $63.13 median hour buys what $54.60 buys at the national price level, 41% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Estimate your Novato paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,273
  • Per year: $113,634
  • Per month: $9,470

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Novato

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$160
Meals and incidentals per day$92
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,764
13-week assignment$22,932

Travel respiratory therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Respiratory Therapist roles in California

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Novato as they open.

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in California

Respiratory Therapist salary in California

Hospitals in Novato

CMS lists 1 hospital in Novato, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Novato Community Hospital
Novato, CA
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Respiratory Therapist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
San Rafael, CA8 mi$63.13/hr59,961
Petaluma, CA12 mi$62.33/hr59,393
Richmond, CA14 mi$63.13/hr115,353
Vallejo, CA16 mi$63.71/hr123,475
Napa, CA20 mi$49.10/hr76,921
Santa Rosa, CA26 mi$62.33/hr177,524

Respiratory Therapist jobs in California · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in California

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in Novato

Novato city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Novato, CA?

Respiratory Therapists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area have a median pay of $63.13 per hour, about $131,320 a year. The middle half earn between $49.28 and $69.58 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Novato a good place for respiratory therapists once cost of living is counted?

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ranks 6th of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 3rd of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 16% above the U.S. average.

Where do respiratory therapists work in Novato?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Novato, led by Novato Community Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Novato as a respiratory therapist?

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Novato?

The federal per diem benchmark in Novato is $160 a night for lodging and $92 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,764 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Novato?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Novato and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Novato.

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What do employers near Novato pay respiratory therapists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

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    What they are offering now

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · RT near Novato, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your RT pay reportNovato, CA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • El Camino HealthMountain View, CA · 2 postings$84.17/ hr$72–$96
  • CommonSpirit HealthSacramento, CA · 8 postings$56.70/ hr$47–$71
  • Sharp HealthCareLa Mesa, CA · 5 postings$46.92/ hr$41–$58
  • Sharp HealthcareLa Mesa, CA · 3 postings$46.92/ hr$41–$53

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$33Median$46.92High$61

46 RT postings with published pay in California, 41 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 46 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Care Practitioner IIIPermanent
    $58.06–$67.60/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Sacramento, CA · posted today
  2. Respiratory Care PractitionerPermanent
    $48.74–$60.02/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Northridge, CA · posted today

+ 44 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
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