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Occupation · SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapists

There are 139,790 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $82,280 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

HealthcareTypical education: Associate's degree
139,790
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$82,280
Median pay a year
Middle half: $74,520–$98,730
8,600
Annual openings
10-year change: +8.5%
10
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 277 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $104,640 · LCA filings 07,010$104,6400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $110,490 · LCA filings 07,010$110,4900
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $80,450 · LCA filings 03,630$80,4500
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $87,060 · LCA filings 13,620$87,0601
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $84,080 · LCA filings 03,010$84,0800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $88,790 · LCA filings 02,990$88,7900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $95,520 · LCA filings 42,670$95,5204
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $80,880 · LCA filings 02,620$80,8800
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $79,760 · LCA filings 02,600$79,7600
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $100,480 · LCA filings 02,200$100,4800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,060 · LCA filings 0$149,6801,0600
Vallejo, CAEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$136,2001900
Santa Cruz–Watsonville, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$134,880700
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 1,140 · LCA filings 0$134,4301,1400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 2,010 · LCA filings 0$130,2202,0100

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 2,670422,670
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 84042840
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 3,620113,620
Greenville, NCEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 15011150

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $90,022 · Level III $102,440 · Level IV $114,878$77,584$90,022$102,440$114,878
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $102,357 · Level III $113,277 · Level IV $124,218$91,416$102,357$113,277$124,218
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $71,677 · Level III $81,078 · Level IV $90,480$62,275$71,677$81,078$90,480
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $81,245 · Level III $88,338 · Level IV $95,430$74,152$81,245$88,338$95,430
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $79,685 · Level III $86,611 · Level IV $93,538$72,758$79,685$86,611$93,538
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $78,499 · Level III $87,110 · Level IV $95,742$69,867$78,499$87,110$95,742
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $84,614 · Level III $94,619 · Level IV $104,645$74,589$84,614$94,619$104,645
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $75,837 · Level III $84,302 · Level IV $92,747$67,392$75,837$84,302$92,747
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $74,464 · Level III $81,640 · Level IV $88,837$67,267$74,464$81,640$88,837
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $86,944 · Level III $98,093 · Level IV $109,242$75,795$86,944$98,093$109,242
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $69,014 · Level III $75,234 · Level IV $81,432$62,816$69,014$75,234$81,432
Greenville, NCLevel II $72,072 · Level III $77,064 · Level IV $82,035$67,101$72,072$77,064$82,035

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09OPT · up to 12 months673OPT · up to 12 months

See Respiratory Therapists in every metro area

All 277 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology