Respiratory Therapist salary in Kentucky
Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky earn a median of $31.57 per hour, about $65,670 a year, 18% below the U.S. median of $38.68. The middle half earn between $29.16 and $36.39 per hour. The highest median among Kentucky metro areas is in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, at $35.29 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $31.57median pay per hour
- $65,670median pay per year
- 2,860employed in Kentucky
- #46of 50 states by median pay
Respiratory Therapist pay in Kentucky: percentiles
| Level | Kentucky per hour | Kentucky per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $25.03 | $52,060 | $29.76 |
| Lower quartile | $29.16 | $60,650 | $32.89 |
| Median | $31.57 | $65,670 | $38.68 |
| Upper quartile | $36.39 | $75,690 | $45.93 |
| Top 10% | $39.00 | $81,120 | $52.32 |
Respiratory Therapist pay by metro area in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Kentucky median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $35.29 | $73,410 | 990 | 12% above | $37.92 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $32.66 | $67,930 | 440 | 3% above | $35.16 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $31.23 | $64,950 | 110 | 1% below | $36.28 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30.83 | $64,130 | 50 | 2% below | $34.79 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $30.00 | $62,400 | 120 | 5% below | $33.27 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $29.63 | $61,630 | 60 | 6% below | $32.71 |
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 Kentucky
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $39.09 | $81,310 | 24% above Kentucky |
| Indiana | $37.41 | $77,820 | 18% above Kentucky |
| Missouri | $35.52 | $73,880 | 13% above Kentucky |
| Ohio | $37.69 | $78,400 | 19% above Kentucky |
| Tennessee | $31.25 | $65,000 | 1% below Kentucky |
| Virginia | $38.27 | $79,600 | 21% above Kentucky |
| West Virginia | $31.91 | $66,370 | 1% above Kentucky |
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Kentucky · Respiratory Therapist salary nationwide · Kentucky state guide
Common questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Kentucky?
The median is $31.57 per hour, about $65,670 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $25.03 and the top 10% earn over $39.00 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Kentucky city pays respiratory therapists the most?
Among Kentucky metro areas, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN has the highest median at $35.29 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Kentucky rank for respiratory therapist pay?
Kentucky ranks 46th 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
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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55+ Respiratory Therapist roles in Kentucky, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your RT pay reportKentucky · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- CommonSpirit HealthLONDON, KY · 2 postings$32.65/ hr$25–$37
- University Medical Center, Inc.Louisville, KY · 2 wage offers$31.46/ hr$31–$32
- UofL Health - Louisville, Inc.Louisville, KY · 2 wage offers$30.79/ hr$29–$32
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
4 employer-reported wage offers for RT in federal filings in Kentucky, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 2 RT roles
- Registered Respiratory TherapistPer diem$34.35–$34.35/ hour
- Certified Respiratory TherapistPermanent$24.88–$37.00/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.