Assess and treat patients with breathing disorders including asthma and COPD. Median salary in Salem: $76K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Salem, Oregon. 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.
Respiratory Therapists in Salem earn approximately 6% higher than the US national median for this role — a $4,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Salem's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Oregon's 9.9% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $7,524 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 Salem ($1,450/mo) consumes approximately 38% 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 ($95K) 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 $76K by 2030.
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The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Salem, OR is $76,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Salem–OR 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 Salem with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $61,000 and $76,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $76,000 to $95,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $95,000 to $118,000 or more.
Salem has a cost of living index of 105 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Salem are close to the national average. Oregon has a 9.9% state income tax rate.
Associate's or Bachelor's in Respiratory Therapy; RRT credential. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.