Respiratory Therapists pay range in Columbia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,050 a year or less, while the top 10% make $84,690 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in Columbia earn between $67,920 and $82,760.
- $61K10th
- $68K25th
- $80KMedian
- $83K75th
- $85K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $75,320 | $6,277 | $36.21 |
| Median | $79,780 | $6,648 | $38.36 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $67,920 | $5,660 | $32.65 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $82,760 | $6,897 | $39.79 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in Columbia vs. South Carolina and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in Columbia earn about the same as the South Carolina average ($76,490) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $75,320 | $79,780 | $61,050 | $84,690 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $76,490 | $77,740 | $63,700 | $90,670 | 1,960 |
| 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 Columbia
On the average salary of $75,320, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $59,139 a year, or $4,928 a month and $2,275 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbia a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbia area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.7), so the average $75,320 buys what about $80,417 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($46,430). A typical home costs $256,154, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other South Carolina cities
Columbia ranks 3rd of 6 South Carolina metro areas for this job; Charleston pays the most ($81,270).
- Charleston$81,270
- Greenville$76,390
- Columbia$75,320
- Myrtle Beach$74,290
- Florence$73,100
- Spartanburg$72,950
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 Columbia: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in Columbia?
$36.21 an hour on average, and $38.36 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,050 a year and the 25th percentile is $67,920, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in Columbia?
About $59,139 a year ($4,928 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $75,320.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in Columbia than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% 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 Columbia, SC (17900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.4%.
- 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 0.92, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.