Assess and treat patients with breathing disorders including asthma and COPD. Median salary in Fresno: $71K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Fresno, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Adjusted for Fresno's cost-of-living index (102), the median Respiratory Therapist salary buys the equivalent of $69,608 in a US-average-cost city. That's $2,392 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.
California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $6,603 per year at the median salary. A Respiratory Therapist relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Fresno ($1,200/mo) consumes approximately 33% of an after-tax median Respiratory Therapist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($88K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $71K by 2030.
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The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Fresno, CA is $71,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Fresno–CA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Respiratory Therapists in Fresno with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $57,000 and $71,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $71,000 to $88,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $88,000 to $110,000 or more.
Fresno has a cost of living index of 102 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Fresno are close to the national average. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.
Associate's or Bachelor's in Respiratory Therapy; RRT credential. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.