How much does a respiratory therapist make in Des Moines?
$75,650a year
Median yearly pay for respiratory therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $36.37 an hour or $6,304 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.37
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 206 of 278
- Jobs in the area
- 200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,740Median: $75,650Highest 10%: $84,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,740 | $30.64 | |
| 25th | $63,790 | $30.67 | |
| Median | $75,650 | $36.37 | |
| 75th | $78,800 | $37.88 | |
| 90th | $84,260 | $40.51 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for respiratory therapists.
| Omaha, NE | $81,270 |
| Davenport, IA | $75,460 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,830 |
| Waterloo, IA | $65,070 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $426,300 |
| Psychiatrist | $358,000 |
| Physician | $309,900 |
| Pediatrician | $271,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Radiologist | $239,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,700 |
| Dentist | $209,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $36.37 ($75,650 a year).
Do respiratory therapists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $75,650 against $82,280 nationally, 8% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $74,760, so Des Moines pays 1% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for respiratory therapist pay?
206 of 278 metro areas with data.
How much does a respiratory therapist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $63,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $84,260 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.