MI · Ann Arbor · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Ann Arbor, MI

The median respiratory therapist pay in the Ann Arbor area is $39.29 per hour ($81,720 a year), with the typical range running from $39.29 to $43.93. That ranks 64th of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 132nd of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Ann Arbor. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Ann Arbor.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Ann Arbor, MI

The metro median is 6% above the Michigan statewide median of $37.24 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 390 respiratory therapists employed in the Ann Arbor metro area, 1.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 2.02).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$34.14$71,01012% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$39.29$81,7202% above U.S. median
Median$39.29$81,7202% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$43.93$91,37014% above U.S. median
Top 10%$43.93$91,37014% above U.S. median

How Ann Arbor ranks

  • 64th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 132nd of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 8 Michigan 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 Ann Arbor

  • Overall prices in Ann Arbor run 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 25% above the U.S. average (index 125.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $39.29 median hour buys what $38.95 buys at the national price level, 1% 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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Named employers near Ann Arbor, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Ann Arbor paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,414
  • Per year: $70,722
  • Per month: $5,894

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

Travel assignment per diem in Ann Arbor

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$134
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,498
13-week assignment$19,474

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 Michigan

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

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in Michigan

Hospitals in Ann Arbor

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

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Va Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Ann Arbor, MI
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital
Ann Arbor, MI
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
University Of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, MI
Acute careNonprofit4 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
Westland, MI18 mi$37.58/hr82,745
Novi, MI19 mi$37.58/hr67,675
Livonia, MI20 mi$37.58/hr93,113
Dearborn Heights, MI23 mi$37.58/hr61,040
Farmington Hills, MI23 mi$37.58/hr84,173
Taylor, MI24 mi$37.58/hr61,544

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Michigan · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Michigan

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

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

Michigan state guide

Other healthcare roles in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Ann Arbor, MI?

Respiratory Therapists in the Ann Arbor metro area have a median pay of $39.29 per hour, about $81,720 a year. The middle half earn between $39.29 and $43.93 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Ann Arbor ranks 132nd of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 64th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 1% above the U.S. average.

Where do respiratory therapists work in Ann Arbor?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Ann Arbor, led by Va Ann Arbor Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Michigan license to work in Ann Arbor as a respiratory therapist?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Ann Arbor is $134 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,498 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Ann Arbor?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ann Arbor and across Michigan. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ann Arbor.

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

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Pay report · RT near Ann Arbor, MI
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Select MedicalGrand Rapids, MI · 3 postings$37.48/ hr$32–$44
  • 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 Michigan list

2What they are offering now

Low$28Median$37.48High$44

4 RT postings with published pay in Michigan, 4 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 4 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Therapist - Full-timePermanent
    $32.69–$44.00/ hour
    Select Medical · Grand Rapids, MI · posted yesterday
  2. Respiratory Therapist - Full-time NightsPermanent
    $31.96–$43.00/ hour
    Select Medical · Wyandotte, MI · posted 27 days ago

+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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