Respiratory Therapist.
Salt Lake City.
$75,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$64,000 to $90,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Salt Lake City is 2% cheaper than the national average. For Respiratory Therapists, that shakes out to a median of $75,000, with the full range spanning $64,000 to $90,000. Shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays contribute significantly to total earnings. Know the range before you walk in. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Respiratory Therapist in Salt Lake City, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $78,750 for Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126) in the Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT metropolitan area, based on 170 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$67,240
25th percentile
$74,300
Median
$78,750
75th percentile
$97,260
90th percentile
$101,340
Workers surveyed
170
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126) rather than Respiratory Therapist specifically. The Salt Lake Cityrange at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1126Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $67,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$49,000
to $60,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$64,000
to $79,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$83,000
to $98,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$94,000
to $116,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $21,000 to the total package.
Base
$75,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $96,000
How Salt Lake City compares.
Salt Lake City, UT
$75,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$80,000
Salt Lake City is $5,000 below
Respiratory Therapist salary by city.
Salary by role in Salt Lake City.
What you should know.
Here is what the Respiratory Therapist market actually looks like in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City anchors the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, home to companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo. The region has attracted significant venture investment and tech relocations. Utah's business friendly environment, young educated workforce, and outdoor lifestyle make it a rising destination for tech professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing career growth. Shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays contribute significantly to total earnings. RTs working in ICU or neonatal units earn more than those in general floor care. The RRT credential is expected for most positions, and additional certifications in pulmonary function or transport add incremental pay.
Entry-level RTs earn $52,000 to $58,000 with the RRT credential. Experienced RTs in critical care reach $65,000 to $75,000 after five to seven years. Lead RTs or department supervisors can earn $78,000 to $92,000 with management responsibilities included. In Salt Lake City, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Respiratory therapists receive shift differentials of $3 to $8 per hour, overtime opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. Some hospitals offer certification bonuses and tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees or specialty credentials. And on the tax side: utah has a flat 4.65% state income tax. Salt Lake City imposes no additional city income tax. The moderate rate combined with affordable living costs results in strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $75,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent. The range for Respiratory Therapists in Salt Lake City runs from $64,000 to $90,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
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- A Radiologic Technologist in Salt Lake City earns $76,000 (1% more)
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Common questions.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other cities.
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