Respiratory Therapist.
New York.
$106,000
median salary, 33% above the national average
$91,000 to $128,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Respiratory Therapist salary in New York is $106,000, 33% above the national average. Entry level starts near $91,000. Experienced professionals push past $128,000. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. 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 New York, 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 $110,490 for Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126) in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, based on 7,010 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$87,090
25th percentile
$100,810
Median
$110,490
75th percentile
$127,070
90th percentile
$131,500
Workers surveyed
7,010
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 New York range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such. New York is reported by BLS within the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1126Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $95,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$69,000
to $85,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$90,000
to $111,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$117,000
to $138,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$133,000
to $164,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $30,000 to the total package.
Base
$106,000
Equity
$17,000
Bonus
$11,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $136,000
How New York compares.
New York, NY
$106,000
Cost of living: 28% above average
National Average
$80,000
New York is $26,000 above
Respiratory Therapist salary by city.
Salary by role in New York.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Respiratory Therapist roles in New York, here is what you are walking into. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. The city's tech sector has grown rapidly, rivaling the Bay Area for venture funding and startup activity. Remote work has reshaped demand slightly, but employers still pay premiums for in office presence in Manhattan. 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 New York, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 28% 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: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%, and New York City adds a local income tax up to 3.876%. Combined with federal taxes, your effective rate can be among the highest nationally. When someone quotes you $106,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions. The range for Respiratory Therapists in New York runs from $91,000 to $128,000. 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 New York earns $105,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in New York is CTO at $376,000
Common questions.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other cities.
Other salaries in New York.
Related salary pages
Jump to nearby roles and cities most relevant to Respiratory Therapists in New York.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Respiratory Therapist Salary in New York, NY." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/respiratory-therapist/new-york
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