How much does a respiratory therapist make in San Diego?
$105,000a year
Median yearly pay for respiratory therapists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $50.50 an hour or $8,753 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.50
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 278
- Jobs in the area
- 1,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $82,140Median: $105,000Highest 10%: $131,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,140 | $39.49 | |
| 25th | $87,410 | $42.02 | |
| Median | $105,000 | $50.50 | |
| 75th | $125,800 | $60.50 | |
| 90th | $131,400 | $63.19 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for respiratory therapists.
| San Jose, CA | $149,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $136,200 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $134,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $134,400 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,200 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $123,200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $112,400 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $108,600 |
| Napa, CA | $104,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,600 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,900 |
| Redding, CA | $103,800 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $102,800 |
| Oxnard, CA | $102,300 |
| Stockton, CA | $102,100 |
| Riverside, CA | $100,500 |
| Fresno, CA | $83,340 |
| Visalia, CA | $82,030 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Cardiologist | $493,700 |
| Psychiatrist | $335,600 |
| Physician | $333,300 |
| Physician | $323,100 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,500 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $293,400 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $282,200 |
| Pediatrician | $262,700 |
| Podiatrist | $235,400 |
| Dermatologist | $233,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $50.50 ($105,000 a year).
Do respiratory therapists make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $105,000 against $82,280 nationally, 28% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $104,800, so San Diego pays 0% more.
Where does San Diego rank for respiratory therapist pay?
12 of 278 metro areas with data.
How much does a respiratory therapist make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $82,140 or less a year; the top 10% make $131,400 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.