State comparison · 2025
Respiratory Therapists salary: California vs South Dakota
Respiratory Therapists in California earn a median of $104,820. In South Dakota, $68,240. After cost-of-living, the gap is 22.9% — not 53.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+53.6%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+22.9%
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
South Dakota
Respiratory Therapists
- Median
- $68,240
- p25
- $62,010
- p75
- $79,370
- p10
- $48,530
- p90
- $88,830
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
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.