Respiratory Therapists pay range in Tucson
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $93,390 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in Tucson earn between $67,170 and $82,090.
- $60K10th
- $67K25th
- $78KMedian
- $82K75th
- $93K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $77,910 | $6,492 | $37.46 |
| Median | $78,320 | $6,527 | $37.65 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $67,170 | $5,598 | $32.29 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $82,090 | $6,841 | $39.47 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in Tucson vs. Arizona and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in Tucson earn 4% less than the Arizona average ($80,980) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $77,910 | $78,320 | $60,440 | $93,390 | 540 |
| Arizona | $80,980 | $79,780 | $64,780 | $99,180 | 3,500 |
| United States | $87,300 | $82,280 | $63,660 | $118,050 | 139,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Respiratory Therapists salary after taxes in Tucson
On the average salary of $77,910, a single filer in Tucson takes home about $62,086 a year, or $5,174 a month and $2,388 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Tucson a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Tucson area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.9), so the average $77,910 buys what about $80,406 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Tucson ($47,760). A typical home costs $343,580, or 4.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other Arizona cities
Tucson ranks 6th of 6 Arizona metro areas for this job; Prescott Valley pays the most ($84,490).
- Prescott Valley$84,490
- Phoenix$81,710
- Lake Havasu City$79,150
- Sierra Vista$78,060
- Yuma$78,040
- Tucson$77,910
Highest-paying cities for respiratory therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($146,490).
- San Jose, CA$146,490
- Santa Cruz, CA$133,510
- Vallejo, CA$133,510
- San Francisco, CA$128,490
- Sacramento, CA$124,410
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Respiratory Therapists salary in Tucson: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in Tucson?
$37.46 an hour on average, and $37.66 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Tucson?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $60,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $67,170, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in Tucson?
About $62,086 a year ($5,174 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $77,910.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in Tucson than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($87,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1126; area Tucson, AZ (46060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.55, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.