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Respiratory Therapist Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$61,169/ year

Median Respiratory Therapist in Indianapolis, IN

$38,966
10th
$47,520
25th
$61,169
Median
$77,440
75th
$94,477
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$61,169
Total compensation (est.)
$70,344
Bonus range
$2,700 – $10,560
Mean salary
$64,839

How This Compares

Indianapolis, IN median
$61,169
Indiana median
$70,900-13.7%
National median
$69,510-12.0%

Cost of living in Indianapolis is 12% below the national average. Salary of $61,169 here is equivalent to $69,510 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$44,042-28.0%
3-5 years
$55,664-9.0%
6-10 years
$68,509+12.0%
10+ years
$84,413+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$53,829-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$61,169
Enterprise (5,000+)
$72,179+18.0%

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Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Nearby Cities

Fort Wayne, IN$69,510/yr
Evansville, IN$69,510/yr
South Bend, IN$69,510/yr

Related Jobs in Indianapolis

Registered Nurse$71,474/yr
Nurse Practitioner$109,718/yr
Physician Assistant$110,889/yr
Physical Therapist$85,994/yr
Occupational Therapist$81,998/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$29/hr
Monthly gross$5,097/mo
25th percentile$47,520/yr
75th percentile$77,440/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

Indiana Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.5%-0.20

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 Indianapolis?

The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Indianapolis is $61,169 per year, with a range from $47,520 at the 25th percentile to $77,440 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 Indianapolis compare to the national average?

Respiratory Therapist salaries in Indianapolis are 12% below the national median of $69,510. After adjusting for Indianapolis's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $69,510 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Respiratory Therapist salaries in Indianapolis?

In Indianapolis, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Respiratory Therapist roles start around $38,966, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $94,477 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Indianapolis a good place for Respiratory Therapist jobs?

Indianapolis offers a Respiratory Therapist median of $61,169, which is 12% below the US median of $69,510. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Indianapolis is 12% 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 Indianapolis is $77,440, 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.