Salary distribution
Where Kentucky respiratory therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,660 and $75,690, with a median of $65,670.
Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $67,226. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 6 | $67,226 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| UofL Health - Louisville, Inc. | Registered Respiratory Therapist II | 5 | $67,226 |
| University Medical Center, Inc. | Registered Respiratory Therapist II | 2 | $65,435 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at UofL Health - Louisville, Inc.$60,877LouisvilleDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-369283
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at University Medical Center, Inc.$63,645LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 30, 2025I-200-25205-196533
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at University Medical Center, Inc.$67,226LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 30, 2025I-200-25205-196526
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at UofL Health - Louisville, Inc.$67,226LouisvilleWage Level IDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-985375
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at UofL Health - Louisville, Inc.$67,226LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Mar 25, 2025I-200-25077-784168
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at UofL Health - Louisville, Inc.$67,226LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Mar 21, 2025I-200-25073-775868
- Registered Respiratory Therapist II at UofL Health - Louisville, Inc.$67,226LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Jan 31, 2025I-200-25024-640185
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Respiratory Therapists pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
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.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+12.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Respiratory Therapists
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in Kentucky
Metro-level salary data for respiratory therapists in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$73,410
Compare Respiratory Therapists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky is $65,670.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Respiratory Therapists?
- The Kentucky median is -20.8% versus the BLS national figure of $82,897.
- What is the salary range for Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $52,060 and the 90th-percentile at $81,110, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Respiratory Therapists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 12.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- 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. Wage data reflects BLS estimates 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.