PermanentPosted 10 days ago
Respiratory Therapist New Grad Full-Time
Select Medical · Saint Charles, MO
$35.30–$47.50/ hour
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Columbia, MO
The median respiratory therapist pay in the Columbia area is $32.19 per hour ($66,960 a year), with the typical range running from $30.52 to $38.87. That ranks 226th of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 203rd of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Columbia. The free report below lists employers near Columbia and what they pay.
- $32.19median pay per hour, Columbia
- $31–$39typical range per hour
- 150respiratory therapists employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Respiratory Therapist pay in Columbia, MO
The metro median is 9% below the Missouri statewide median of $35.52 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 150 respiratory therapists employed in the Columbia metro area, 1.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.61).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $25.72 | $53,500 | 34% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $30.52 | $63,480 | 21% below U.S. median |
| Median | $32.19 | $66,960 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $38.87 | $80,850 | in line with U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $38.87 | $80,850 | in line with U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 226th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 203rd of 248 after adjusting for local prices
- 4th of 6 Missouri 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 Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $32.19 median hour buys what $35.99 buys at the national price level, 7% below 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 Columbia Respiratory Therapist pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Columbia paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,159
- Per year: $57,942
- Per month: $4,828
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Columbia
| Item | Federal 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 Missouri
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Columbia as they open.
PermanentPosted 10 days ago
Respiratory Therapist Full-Time
Select Medical · Saint Charles, MO
$35.30–$47.50/ hour
For youUpdated weekly
50+ more Respiratory Therapist roles for you in Missouri
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Hospitals in Columbia
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone Hospital Center Columbia, MO | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Columbia Mo Va Medical Center Columbia, MO | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| University Of Missouri Health Care Columbia, MO | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Centerpointe Hospital Of Columbia Columbia, MO | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 87 mi | $36.33/hr | 95,355 |
| St. Peters, MO | 93 mi | $36.33/hr | 61,398 |
| St. Charles, MO | 98 mi | $36.33/hr | 72,458 |
| Blue Springs, MO | 104 mi | $38.44/hr | 61,246 |
| Florissant, MO | 108 mi | $36.33/hr | 51,290 |
| Independence, MO | 109 mi | $38.44/hr | 121,629 |
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Missouri · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Missouri
RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Columbia, MO?
Respiratory Therapists in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $32.19 per hour, about $66,960 a year. The middle half earn between $30.52 and $38.87 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for respiratory therapists once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 203rd of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 226th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do respiratory therapists work in Columbia?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, led by Boone Hospital Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Missouri license to work in Columbia as a respiratory therapist?
RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri 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 Columbia?
The federal per diem benchmark in Columbia 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 Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
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What do employers near Columbia 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.
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50+ Respiratory Therapist roles in Missouri, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your RT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Missouri list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Select MedicalSaint Charles, MO · 2 postings$41.40/ hr$35–$48
- 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 Missouri 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: 2 RT roles
- Respiratory Therapist New Grad Full-TimePermanent$35.30–$47.50/ hour
- Respiratory Therapist Full-TimePermanent$35.30–$47.50/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.