CT · Bridgeport · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Bridgeport, CT

The median respiratory therapist pay in the Bridgeport area is $41.13 per hour ($85,540 a year), with the typical range running from $40.16 to $45.47. That ranks 37th of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 147th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Bridgeport. The free report below lists employers near Bridgeport and what they pay.

More open Respiratory Therapist roles in Bridgeport

2 more open roles from employers in Bridgeport. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Bridgeport, CT

The metro median is 3% above the Connecticut statewide median of $40.02 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 330 respiratory therapists employed in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury 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%$38.41$79,8901% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$40.16$83,5304% above U.S. median
Median$41.13$85,5406% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$45.47$94,58018% above U.S. median
Top 10%$53.11$110,47037% above U.S. median

How Bridgeport ranks

  • 37th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 147th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 4 Connecticut 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.

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Named employers near Bridgeport, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Bridgeport

  • Overall prices in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury run 7% above the U.S. average (index 106.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 50% above the U.S. average (index 150.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $41.13 median hour buys what $38.49 buys at the national price level, in line with 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.

Estimate your Bridgeport paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,481
  • Per year: $74,034
  • Per month: $6,170

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Bridgeport

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$146
Meals and incidentals per day$86
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,624
13-week assignment$21,112

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).

Hospitals in Bridgeport

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Bridgeport, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Bridgeport Hospital
Bridgeport, CT
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
St Vincent's Medical Center
Bridgeport, CT
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System
Bridgeport, CT
PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot ratedNo

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
Milford, CT7 mi$40.02/hr51,004
West Haven, CT13 mi$40.02/hr55,379
Norwalk, CT13 mi$40.02/hr93,661
New Haven, CT16 mi$39.89/hr137,562
Stamford, CT20 mi$41.13/hr139,134
Danbury, CT21 mi$41.13/hr88,692

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Connecticut · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

Respiratory Therapist salary in Connecticut

License and tax basics in Connecticut

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

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

Connecticut state guide

Other healthcare roles in Bridgeport

Bridgeport city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Bridgeport, CT?

Respiratory Therapists in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury metro area have a median pay of $41.13 per hour, about $85,540 a year. The middle half earn between $40.16 and $45.47 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury ranks 147th of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 37th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% above the U.S. average.

Where do respiratory therapists work in Bridgeport?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Bridgeport, led by Bridgeport Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Connecticut license to work in Bridgeport as a respiratory therapist?

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Connecticut requires for your role with the Connecticut 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 Bridgeport?

The federal per diem benchmark in Bridgeport is $146 a night for lodging and $86 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,624 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Bridgeport?

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

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

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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 Bridgeport, CT
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your RT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Connecticut list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • CommonSpirit HealthSacramento, CA · 8 postings$56.70/ hr$47–$71
  • MultiCareTacoma, WA · 18 postings$54.16/ hr$29–$68
  • Fairview Health ServicesGrand Rapids, MN · 7 postings$53.34/ hr$36–$63
  • Centrastate Healthcare SystemFreehold, NJ · 3 postings$51.30/ hr$38–$65

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Connecticut list

2What they are offering now

Low$29Median$41.44High$58

396 RT postings with published pay in the US, 319 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open RT roles

Open RT roles near Bridgeport, CT, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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