Healthcare Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median respiratory therapist salary in Cleveland, OH is $62,075 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$62,075
vs State Avg
$-2,822
vs National
$-8,465
Cost of Living
86%

Respiratory Therapist Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median respiratory therapist salary of $62,075, which is $2,822 below the Ohio state average of $64,897. Compared to the national median of $70,540, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $62,075 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $72,180 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for respiratory therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for respiratory therapists in Cleveland spans from $42,240 at the 10th percentile to $87,120 at the 90th percentile — a $44,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,000, while senior respiratory therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $83,600. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level respiratory therapist earns around $44,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $83,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,000
$-6,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$83,600
$-11,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $42,240
25th Percentile $50,160
Median (50th) $62,075
75th Percentile $75,680
90th Percentile $87,120

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$68,424
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$64,897
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$60,664
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$59,254
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Cleveland

Education

Most respiratory therapist positions require a associate's degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Ventilator ManagementPulmonary Function TestingABG AnalysisOxygen TherapyCritical CarePatient Assessment

Job Outlook

Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open respiratory therapist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Respiratory Therapist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Respiratory Therapist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median respiratory therapist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $62,075 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $70,540. Salaries range from $42,240 (10th percentile) to $87,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Respiratory Therapist make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $62,075, a respiratory therapist in Cleveland earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for respiratory therapist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median respiratory therapist salary of $62,075 is 4.3% below the Ohio state average of $64,897. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a respiratory therapist salary of $62,075 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a respiratory therapist in Cleveland? ▼
Most respiratory therapist positions in Cleveland require a associate's degree. Key skills include Ventilator Management, Pulmonary Function Testing, ABG Analysis, Oxygen Therapy. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.