Salary distribution
Where San Diego respiratory therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $84,350 and $121,980, with a median of $102,590.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.3 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Inductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.
- 02
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- 03
Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- 04
Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- 05
Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- 06
Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- 07
Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- 08
Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for respiratory therapists.
- San Jose$137,080
- San Francisco$131,320
- Sacramento$129,180
- Los Angeles$101,250
- Riverside$97,080
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Respiratory Therapists in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Respiratory Therapists in the San Diego metropolitan area is $102,590.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Respiratory Therapists?
- The San Diego metro median is +0.5% versus the California state median of $102,120.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Respiratory Therapists?
- The San Diego metro median is +23.8% versus the BLS national figure of $82,897.
- What is the salary range for Respiratory Therapists in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,130 and the 90th-percentile at $126,350 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Respiratory Therapists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.