How much does a respiratory therapist make in Santa Cruz?
$134,900a year
Median yearly pay for respiratory therapists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $64.85 an hour or $11,240 a month.
- Hourly
- $64.85
- Vs. national median
- +64%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 278
- Jobs in the area
- 70
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $100,000Median: $134,900Highest 10%: $161,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $100,000 | $48.10 | |
| 25th | $100,000 | $48.10 | |
| Median | $134,900 | $64.85 | |
| 75th | $161,300 | $77.52 | |
| 90th | $161,300 | $77.52 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for respiratory therapists.
| San Jose, CA | $149,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $136,200 |
| 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 |
| San Diego, CA | $105,000 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $431,000 |
| Physician | $305,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $291,900 |
| Dentist | $176,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $171,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,200 |
| Veterinarian | $164,800 |
| Pharmacist | $161,900 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,000 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $64.85 ($134,900 a year).
Do respiratory therapists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $134,900 against $82,280 nationally, 64% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $104,800, so Santa Cruz pays 29% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for respiratory therapist pay?
3 of 278 metro areas with data.
How much does a respiratory therapist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $100,000 or less a year; the top 10% make $161,300 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.