IA · Dubuque · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Dubuque, IA

Pay for respiratory therapists in Iowa centers on $33.07 per hour, or about $68,790 a year. The lower quarter earns under $30.32 and the upper quarter over $37.85. That is 15% below the U.S. median of $38.68 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Dubuque.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Dubuque, IA

Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 1,050 respiratory therapists employed in Iowa.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$27.05$56,26030% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$30.32$63,07022% below U.S. median
Median$33.07$68,79015% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$37.85$78,7302% below U.S. median
Top 10%$40.13$83,4704% above U.S. median

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 Dubuque

  • Overall prices in Dubuque run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 36% below the U.S. average (index 64.0).

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 Dubuque paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,191
  • Per year: $59,526
  • Per month: $4,960

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for Iowa. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Dubuque

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

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 (this is the standard rate that applies here). 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 Iowa

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

Per diemPosted 30+ days ago

Respiratory Therapist

CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA

$33.84–$50.34/ hour
  • PRN
  • Req 94789448272
View role

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in Iowa

Hospitals in Dubuque

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Finley Hospital
Dubuque, IA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center
Dubuque, IA
Acute careNonprofit3 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
Cedar Rapids, IA62 mi$31.22/hr137,904
Davenport, IA65 mi$32.58/hr100,938
Iowa City, IA72 mi$35.23/hr76,710
Madison, WI76 mi$39.27/hr285,300
Waterloo, IA84 mi$30.01/hr67,477
Rockford, IL86 mi$36.90/hr147,486

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Iowa · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Iowa

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

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

Iowa state guide

Other healthcare roles in Dubuque

Dubuque city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Dubuque, IA?

Respiratory Therapists in Iowa have a median pay of $33.07 per hour, about $68,790 a year. The middle half earn between $30.32 and $37.85 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Where do respiratory therapists work in Dubuque?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, led by Finley Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Iowa license to work in Dubuque as a respiratory therapist?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Dubuque is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Dubuque?

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

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

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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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 Dubuque, IA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Select MedicalDes Moines, IA · 2 postings$37.48/ hr$32–$43
  • 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

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

2What they are offering now

Low$32Median$37.48High$50

3 RT postings with published pay in Iowa, 2 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 3 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Therapist - Full-time Day ShiftPermanent
    $31.96–$43.00/ hour
    Select Medical · Des Moines, IA · posted yesterday
  2. Respiratory Therapist - Full-time Night ShiftPermanent
    $31.96–$43.00/ hour
    Select Medical · Des Moines, IA · posted yesterday

+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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