Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Respiratory Therapist's pay go, state by state?
A Respiratory Therapist's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $6,921/mo take-home against $1,900/mo typical rent — and the least in Tennessee.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $6,921/mo | $1,900/mo | 27% |
| New York | $6,412/mo | $1,621/mo | 25% |
| Alaska | $6,112/mo | $1,361/mo | 22% |
| California | $6,578/mo | $1,969/mo | 30% |
| New Jersey | $6,124/mo | $1,656/mo | 27% |
| Oregon | $5,725/mo | $1,431/mo | 25% |
| Washington | $5,800/mo | $1,641/mo | 28% |
| Wisconsin | $5,171/mo | $1,033/mo | 20% |
| Delaware | $5,448/mo | $1,321/mo | 24% |
| Minnesota | $5,348/mo | $1,230/mo | 23% |
| Montana | $5,064/mo | $1,031/mo | 20% |
| Ohio | $5,017/mo | $986/mo | 20% |
| Hawaii | $5,906/mo | $1,927/mo | 33% |
| New Hampshire | $5,386/mo | $1,424/mo | 26% |
| Massachusetts | $5,636/mo | $1,716/mo | 30% |
| Rhode Island | $5,192/mo | $1,289/mo | 25% |
| Illinois | $5,134/mo | $1,246/mo | 24% |
| Vermont | $5,077/mo | $1,207/mo | 24% |
| Connecticut | $5,303/mo | $1,483/mo | 28% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,989/mo | $1,176/mo | 24% |
| Maine | $4,911/mo | $1,104/mo | 22% |
| Georgia | $5,102/mo | $1,320/mo | 26% |
| Maryland | $5,428/mo | $1,683/mo | 31% |
| Nevada | $5,171/mo | $1,478/mo | 29% |
| Texas | $4,969/mo | $1,328/mo | 27% |
| Colorado | $5,250/mo | $1,659/mo | 32% |
| South Carolina | $4,713/mo | $1,131/mo | 24% |
| Michigan | $4,644/mo | $1,072/mo | 23% |
| Indiana | $4,532/mo | $1,022/mo | 23% |
| Nebraska | $4,521/mo | $1,017/mo | 22% |
| Kansas | $4,512/mo | $1,025/mo | 23% |
| Wyoming | $4,448/mo | $979/mo | 22% |
| Oklahoma | $4,423/mo | $970/mo | 22% |
| Arizona | $4,844/mo | $1,419/mo | 29% |
| Florida | $4,965/mo | $1,542/mo | 31% |
| Missouri | $4,406/mo | $997/mo | 23% |
| Virginia | $4,955/mo | $1,547/mo | 31% |
| North Dakota | $4,295/mo | $911/mo | 21% |
| Idaho | $4,511/mo | $1,163/mo | 26% |
| North Carolina | $4,490/mo | $1,147/mo | 26% |
| Arkansas | $4,224/mo | $903/mo | 21% |
| Iowa | $4,215/mo | $932/mo | 22% |
| Louisiana | $4,283/mo | $1,028/mo | 24% |
| South Dakota | $4,160/mo | $910/mo | 22% |
| West Virginia | $4,086/mo | $848/mo | 21% |
| Utah | $4,628/mo | $1,396/mo | 30% |
| Kentucky | $4,122/mo | $918/mo | 22% |
| New Mexico | $4,198/mo | $1,034/mo | 25% |
| Alabama | $3,987/mo | $967/mo | 24% |
| Mississippi | $3,952/mo | $933/mo | 24% |
| Tennessee | $4,111/mo | $1,111/mo | 27% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.