Respiratory Therapist.
Honolulu.
$107,000
median salary, 34% above the national average
$91,000 to $129,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Honolulu is $107,000, 34% above the national average. Entry level starts near $91,000. Experienced professionals push past $129,000. Honolulu's economy is driven by military spending, tourism, and healthcare. That spread is your negotiation window. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Respiratory Therapist in Honolulu, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $94,210 for Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126) in the Urban Honolulu, HI metropolitan area, based on 440 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$80,130
25th percentile
$86,140
Median
$94,210
75th percentile
$102,170
90th percentile
$102,780
Workers surveyed
440
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126) rather than Respiratory Therapist specifically. The Honolulu range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1126Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $96,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$70,000
to $86,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$91,000
to $112,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$118,000
to $139,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$134,000
to $166,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $30,000 to the total package.
Base
$107,000
Equity
$17,000
Bonus
$11,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $137,000
How Honolulu compares.
Honolulu, HI
$107,000
Cost of living: 30% above average
National Average
$80,000
Honolulu is $27,000 above
Respiratory Therapist salary by city.
Salary by role in Honolulu.
What you should know.
Before you negotiate a Respiratory Therapist offer in Honolulu, understand the terrain. Honolulu's economy is driven by military spending, tourism, and healthcare. The extremely high cost of living means employers must pay significant premiums. Federal and defense contractor roles offer the highest salaries, while the growing renewable energy sector is creating new technology positions. Shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays contribute significantly to total earnings. RTs working in ICU or neonatal units earn more than those in general floor care. The RRT credential is expected for most positions, and additional certifications in pulmonary function or transport add incremental pay.
Entry-level RTs earn $52,000 to $58,000 with the RRT credential. Experienced RTs in critical care reach $65,000 to $75,000 after five to seven years. Lead RTs or department supervisors can earn $78,000 to $92,000 with management responsibilities included. In Honolulu, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 30% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Respiratory therapists receive shift differentials of $3 to $8 per hour, overtime opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. Some hospitals offer certification bonuses and tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees or specialty credentials. And on the tax side: hawaii has the highest top state income tax rate in the nation at 11%. Honolulu has no city income tax, but the state burden combined with high living costs requires careful salary planning. When someone quotes you $107,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate housing allowances alongside salary. Honolulu employers, especially federal contractors, often provide COLA adjustments and housing stipends that significantly increase total compensation. The range for Respiratory Therapists in Honolulu runs from $91,000 to $129,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- An Accountant in Honolulu earns $106,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Honolulu is CTO at $398,000
Common questions.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Honolulu.
Related salary pages
Jump to nearby roles and cities most relevant to Respiratory Therapists in Honolulu.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Respiratory Therapist Salary in Honolulu, HI." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/respiratory-therapist/honolulu
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