WA · Olympia · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Olympia, WA

Pay for respiratory therapists in Washington centers on $46.71 per hour, or about $97,150 a year. The lower quarter earns under $39.17 and the upper quarter over $50.74. That is 21% above the U.S. median of $38.68 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Olympia. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Olympia.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Olympia, WA

Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 1,850 respiratory therapists employed in Washington.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$36.69$76,3205% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$39.17$81,4701% above U.S. median
Median$46.71$97,15021% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$50.74$105,54031% above U.S. median
Top 10%$58.31$121,28051% 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 Olympia

  • Overall prices in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater run 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.7, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 17% above the U.S. average (index 116.7).

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 Olympia paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,682
  • Per year: $84,078
  • Per month: $7,006
  • Washington has no state income tax on wages.

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

Travel assignment per diem in Olympia

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$149
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,603
13-week assignment$20,839

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 Washington

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

PermanentPosted 7 days ago

Respiratory Therapist

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Tacoma, WA

$76k–$99k/ year
  • Full-time
  • Req 888533700
New this week
View role

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in Washington

Hospitals in Olympia

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

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Capital Medical Center
Olympia, WA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Providence St Peter Hospital
Olympia, WA
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
Lacey, WA5 mi$46.71/hr58,644
Lakewood, WA19 mi$47.55/hr62,709
Tacoma, WA25 mi$47.55/hr228,202
Federal Way, WA32 mi$47.55/hr100,252
Auburn, WA37 mi$47.55/hr85,513
Burien, WA40 mi$47.55/hr52,046

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Washington · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Washington

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

Washington does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.

Washington state guide

Other healthcare roles in Olympia

Olympia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Olympia, WA?

Respiratory Therapists in Washington have a median pay of $46.71 per hour, about $97,150 a year. The middle half earn between $39.17 and $50.74 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Where do respiratory therapists work in Olympia?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Olympia, led by Capital Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Washington license to work in Olympia as a respiratory therapist?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Olympia is $149 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,603 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Olympia?

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

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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 Olympia, WA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your RT pay reportOlympia, WA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 2 postings$59.29/ hr$43–$77
  • MultiCareTacoma, WA · 18 postings$54.16/ hr$29–$68
  • CommonSpirit HealthGIG HARBOR, WA · 2 postings$53.50/ hr$39–$69

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$36Median$54.16High$68

24 RT postings with published pay in Washington, 21 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 24 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Care Practitioner Registered PRNPer diem
    $40.83–$67.48/ hour
    MultiCare · Tacoma, WA · posted yesterday
  2. Respiratory Care Practitioner Registered PRNPer diem
    $40.83–$67.48/ hour
    MultiCare · Tacoma, WA · posted yesterday

+ 22 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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