HealthcareOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level Respiratory Therapist Salary in Los Angeles

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$77,523/yr

Typical range: $78,344 $92,321

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Respiratory Therapist Salary Progression in Los Angeles

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$77,523$6,460
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$95,242$7,937+23%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$105,579$8,798+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$116,949$9,746+51%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$141,756$11,813+83%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$163,020$13,585+110%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$168,335$14,028+117%
Current Salary
$77,523
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $37/hr
Next Level Target
$95,242
Junior · 2
+$18Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
54/100
Moderate
+14% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level Respiratory Therapist salary in Los Angeles, CA?

Entry Level Respiratory Therapists in Los Angeles, CA earn approximately $78K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level Respiratory Therapist make per hour in Los Angeles, CA?

Based on $78K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $37/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior Respiratory Therapist in Los Angeles, CA?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Respiratory Therapist in Los Angeles, CA earns $133K–$157K/yr.