Respiratory Therapist Salary in Cincinnati, Ohio

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$59,779/ year

Median Respiratory Therapist in Cincinnati, OH

$38,081
10th
$46,440
25th
$59,779
Median
$75,681
75th
$92,331
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$59,779
Total compensation (est.)
$68,746
Bonus range
$2,700 – $10,560
Mean salary
$63,366

How This Compares

Cincinnati, OH median
$59,779
Ohio median
$70,900-15.7%
National median
$69,510-14.0%

Cost of living in Cincinnati is 0% below the national average. Salary of $59,779 here is equivalent to $59,779 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$43,041-28.0%
3-5 years
$54,399-9.0%
6-10 years
$66,952+12.0%
10+ years
$82,495+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$52,606-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$59,779
Enterprise (5,000+)
$70,539+18.0%

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Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Nearby Cities

Columbus, OH$61,864/yr
Cleveland, OH$59,084/yr
Toledo, OH$69,510/yr
Akron, OH$69,510/yr
Dayton, OH$69,510/yr

Related Jobs in Cincinnati

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$29/hr
Monthly gross$4,982/mo
25th percentile$46,440/yr
75th percentile$75,681/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Ohio Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.5%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Respiratory Therapist Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Respiratory Therapist salary in Cincinnati?

The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Cincinnati is $59,779 per year, with a range from $46,440 at the 25th percentile to $75,681 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Respiratory Therapist pay in Cincinnati compare to the national average?

Respiratory Therapist salaries in Cincinnati are 14% below the national median of $69,510. After adjusting for Cincinnati's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $59,779 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Respiratory Therapist salaries in Cincinnati?

In Cincinnati, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Respiratory Therapist roles start around $38,081, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $92,331 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Cincinnati a good place for Respiratory Therapist jobs?

Cincinnati offers a Respiratory Therapist median of $59,779, which is 14% below the US median of $69,510. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Cincinnati is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Respiratory Therapist salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Respiratory Therapist in Cincinnati is $75,681, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.