Respiratory Therapist salary in North Carolina
Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina earn a median of $37.04 per hour, about $77,050 a year, 4% below the U.S. median of $38.68. The middle half earn between $31.37 and $39.78 per hour. The highest median among North Carolina metro areas is in Raleigh-Cary, NC, at $40.18 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $37.04median pay per hour
- $77,050median pay per year
- 4,440employed in North Carolina
- #32of 50 states by median pay
Respiratory Therapist pay in North Carolina: percentiles
| Level | North Carolina per hour | North Carolina per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $29.51 | $61,380 | $29.76 |
| Lower quartile | $31.37 | $65,250 | $32.89 |
| Median | $37.04 | $77,050 | $38.68 |
| Upper quartile | $39.78 | $82,740 | $45.93 |
| Top 10% | $43.71 | $90,920 | $52.32 |
Respiratory Therapist pay by metro area in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs North Carolina median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $40.18 | $83,580 | 490 | 8% above | $40.93 |
| Burlington, NC | $39.80 | $82,780 | 40 | 7% above | $42.71 |
| Asheville, NC | $39.23 | $81,610 | 170 | 6% above | $40.65 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38.73 | $80,560 | 460 | 5% above | $42.08 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $38.69 | $80,460 | 310 | 4% above | $41.66 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37.89 | $78,810 | 150 | 2% above | $39.30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37.37 | $77,730 | 1,000 | 1% above | $38.39 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $37.21 | $77,390 | 450 | in line with | $38.14 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $36.21 | $75,310 | 130 | 2% below | $40.92 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $36.10 | $75,090 | 120 | 3% below | $39.25 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $32.85 | $68,320 | 70 | 11% below | $37.32 |
| Greenville, NC | $32.18 | $66,940 | 160 | 13% below | $36.40 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $29.23 | $60,790 | 50 | 21% below | $31.74 |
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 North Carolina
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $39.37 | $81,890 | 6% above North Carolina |
| South Carolina | $36.52 | $75,960 | 1% below North Carolina |
| Tennessee | $31.25 | $65,000 | 16% below North Carolina |
| Virginia | $38.27 | $79,600 | 3% above North Carolina |
What employers are posting in North Carolina
- 11roles with published pay
- $38.38median pay per hour
- $31–$46typical published range
- 3employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Advocate Health | 9 | $38.38 |
| Sentara Healthcare | 1 | $52.11 |
| Select Medical | 1 | $39.22 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 11 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 North Carolina · Respiratory Therapist salary nationwide · North Carolina state guide
Common questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in North Carolina?
The median is $37.04 per hour, about $77,050 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $29.51 and the top 10% earn over $43.71 (BLS, May 2024).
Which North Carolina city pays respiratory therapists the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Raleigh-Cary, NC has the highest median at $40.18 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does North Carolina rank for respiratory therapist pay?
North Carolina ranks 32nd 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.
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- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
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The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
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Your RT pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your North Carolina list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical CenterWinston-Salem, NC · 2 wage offers$51.69/ hr$51–$53
- Advocate HealthSparta, NC · 9 postings$38.38/ hr$31–$60
- CommonSpirit HealthSACRAMENTO, CA · 8 postings$56.70/ hr$47–$71
- MultiCareTacoma, WA · 18 postings$54.16/ hr$29–$68
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your North Carolina list
2What they are offering now
11 RT postings with published pay in North Carolina, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 11 RT roles
- Respiratory Therapist (RRT)Permanent$30.70–$46.05/ hour
- Registered Respiratory Therapist, CMCPermanent$30.70–$46.05/ hour
+ 9 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.