Respiratory Therapist jobs in Waterbury, CT
The median respiratory therapist pay in the Waterbury area is $38.42 per hour ($79,920 a year), with the typical range running from $38.42 to $41.94. That ranks 92nd of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 145th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Waterbury. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Waterbury.
- $38.42median pay per hour, Waterbury
- $38–$42typical range per hour
- 200respiratory therapists employed in the metro area
- 100cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Respiratory Therapist pay in Waterbury, CT
The metro median is 4% below the Connecticut statewide median of $40.02 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 200 respiratory therapists employed in the Waterbury-Shelton metro area, 1.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.42).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $33.32 | $69,310 | 14% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $38.42 | $79,910 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Median | $38.42 | $79,920 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $41.94 | $87,240 | 8% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $43.44 | $90,360 | 12% above U.S. median |
How Waterbury ranks
- 92nd of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 145th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
- 4th 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.
What your pay buys in Waterbury
- Overall prices in Waterbury-Shelton run in line with the U.S. average (index 99.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $38.42 median hour buys what $38.51 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.
Get the Waterbury Respiratory Therapist pay report
Named employers near Waterbury, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Waterbury paycheck
- Per year: $69,156
- Per month: $5,763
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Waterbury-Shelton metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Waterbury
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $130 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,470 |
| 13-week assignment | $19,110 |
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 Waterbury
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterbury, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's Hospital Waterbury, CT | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Waterbury Hospital Waterbury, CT | Acute care | For-profit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Respiratory Therapist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, CT | 10 mi | $40.02/hr | 62,195 |
| Meriden, CT | 13 mi | $40.02/hr | 60,849 |
| New Britain, CT | 15 mi | $40.02/hr | 75,871 |
| New Haven, CT | 18 mi | $39.89/hr | 137,562 |
| West Haven, CT | 20 mi | $40.02/hr | 55,379 |
| Milford, CT | 23 mi | $40.02/hr | 51,004 |
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Connecticut · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide
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.
Other healthcare roles in Waterbury
Waterbury city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Waterbury, CT?
Respiratory Therapists in the Waterbury-Shelton metro area have a median pay of $38.42 per hour, about $79,920 a year. The middle half earn between $38.42 and $41.94 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Waterbury a good place for respiratory therapists once cost of living is counted?
Waterbury-Shelton ranks 145th of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 92nd of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run in line with the U.S. average.
Where do respiratory therapists work in Waterbury?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterbury, led by Saint Mary's Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Connecticut license to work in Waterbury 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 Waterbury?
The federal per diem benchmark in Waterbury is $130 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,470 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Waterbury?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Waterbury and across Connecticut. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Waterbury.
What do employers near Waterbury pay respiratory therapists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
50+ Respiratory Therapist roles in Connecticut, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
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
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 Waterbury, CT, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.