KS · Lawrence · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Lawrence, KS

The median respiratory therapist pay in Kansas is $35.38 per hour ($73,580 a year), with the typical range running from $31.12 to $38.44. That is 9% below the U.S. median of $38.68 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Lawrence. The free report below lists employers near Lawrence and what they pay.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Lawrence, KS

Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 1,260 respiratory therapists employed in Kansas.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$27.25$56,68030% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$31.12$64,73020% below U.S. median
Median$35.38$73,5809% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$38.44$79,9601% below U.S. median
Top 10%$43.57$90,63013% 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 Lawrence

  • Overall prices in Lawrence run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 28% below the U.S. average (index 71.6).

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 Lawrence Respiratory Therapist pay report

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

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Estimate your Lawrence paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,274
  • Per year: $63,684
  • Per month: $5,307

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

Travel assignment per diem in Lawrence

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 Kansas

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

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in Kansas

Hospitals in Lawrence

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

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Lmh
Lawrence, KS
Acute careGovernment and federal4 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
Topeka, KS24 mi$36.84/hr125,467
Olathe, KS25 mi$38.44/hr149,035
Lenexa, KS25 mi$38.44/hr59,427
Shawnee, KS25 mi$38.44/hr69,724
Kansas City, KS30 mi$38.44/hr156,752
Overland Park, KS31 mi$38.44/hr202,893

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Kansas · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Kansas

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

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

Kansas state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lawrence

Lawrence city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Lawrence, KS?

Respiratory Therapists in Kansas have a median pay of $35.38 per hour, about $73,580 a year. The middle half earn between $31.12 and $38.44 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Where do respiratory therapists work in Lawrence?

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

Do I need a Kansas license to work in Lawrence as a respiratory therapist?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Lawrence 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 Lawrence?

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

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What do employers near Lawrence 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.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

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    Roles open for you right now

    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

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

Your RT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Kansas 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 Kansas 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 now: 1 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Therapist - Full TimePermanent
    $30.00–$40.38/ hour
    Select Medical · Wichita, KS · posted 10 days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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