Respiratory Therapist salary in Iowa
Respiratory Therapists in Iowa earn a median of $33.07 per hour, about $68,790 a year, 15% below the U.S. median of $38.68. The middle half earn between $30.32 and $37.85 per hour. The highest median among Iowa metro areas is in Ames, IA, at $36.70 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $33.07median pay per hour
- $68,790median pay per year
- 1,050employed in Iowa
- #42of 50 states by median pay
Respiratory Therapist pay in Iowa: percentiles
| Level | Iowa per hour | Iowa per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $27.05 | $56,260 | $29.76 |
| Lower quartile | $30.32 | $63,070 | $32.89 |
| Median | $33.07 | $68,790 | $38.68 |
| Upper quartile | $37.85 | $78,730 | $45.93 |
| Top 10% | $40.13 | $83,470 | $52.32 |
Respiratory Therapist pay by metro area in Iowa
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Iowa median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $36.70 | $76,340 | 30 | 11% above | $41.31 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $36.70 | $76,340 | 240 | 11% above | $40.02 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35.23 | $73,270 | 150 | 7% above | $38.50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32.58 | $67,760 | 140 | 1% below | $36.57 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $31.22 | $64,930 | 80 | 6% below | $35.09 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $30.01 | $62,420 | 80 | 9% below | $34.47 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29.55 | $61,460 | 50 | 11% below | $34.18 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Respiratory Therapist pay in states next to Iowa
What employers are posting in Iowa
- 3roles with published pay
- $37.48median pay per hour
- $32–$47typical published range
- 2employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Select Medical | 2 | $37.48 |
| CommonSpirit Health | 1 | $42.09 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 3 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Iowa · Respiratory Therapist salary nationwide · Iowa state guide
Common questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Iowa?
The median is $33.07 per hour, about $68,790 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $27.05 and the top 10% earn over $40.13 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Iowa city pays respiratory therapists the most?
Among Iowa metro areas, Ames, IA has the highest median at $36.70 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Iowa rank for respiratory therapist pay?
Iowa ranks 42nd of 50 states by median respiratory therapist pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you 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
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20+ Respiratory Therapist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
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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
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
- Respiratory Therapist - Full-time Day ShiftPermanent$31.96–$43.00/ hour
- Respiratory Therapist - Full-time Night ShiftPermanent$31.96–$43.00/ hour
+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.