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State comparison · 2025

Respiratory Therapists salary: California vs Iowa

Occupation

Respiratory Therapists in California earn a median of $104,820. In Iowa, $74,760. After cost-of-living, the gap is 11.2% — not 40.2%.

Nominal pay gap
+40.2%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+11.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Respiratory Therapists

Median
$104,820
p25
$87,750
p75
$129,010
p10
$77,010
p90
$145,510
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
See full breakdown for California

Iowa

Respiratory Therapists

Median
$74,760
p25
$64,670
p75
$80,730
p10
$62,860
p90
$86,510
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
87.8
See full breakdown for Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.