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Respiratory Therapy Salary in Missouri: Is It a Good Career?

Missouri · 2026 BLS salary data

Respiratory Therapy pay in Missouri

The median wage is $78,390/yr — 5% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Missouriranks #39 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Missouri

Real BLS state-level figures for Respiratory Therapy.

Median salary
$78,390/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$64,800 – $83,030
National median
$82,280/yr
Employed in Missouri
3,030

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Missouri

Salary alone can mislead — Missouri costs 9% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
90.8
Nominal median
$78,390
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $86,333
State income tax
Up to 4.7%

Because Missouri costs 9% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #17 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #39 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions; some localities also levy income tax.

FAQ

How much do respiratory therapy professionals make in Missouri?

The median annual wage is $78,390 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $64,800 and $83,030. That's 5% below the national median.

Is Missouri a good state for respiratory therapy?

By raw pay, Missouri ranks #39 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Missouri costs 9% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $86,333. Because Missouri costs 9% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #17 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #39 on raw salary.

Are respiratory therapy professionals in demand in Missouri?

About 3,030 people work in this field in Missouri (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +12.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Respiratory Therapy nationally — Missouri pay is 5% below the national median. See the full Respiratory Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes — respiratory therapy pairs solid pay from an associate degree with much-faster-than-average growth driven by an aging population. Expect hospital shift work and high-stakes, critical-care moments.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Solid pay from a two-year associate degree
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Essential, recession-resistant role
  • Meaningful critical-care work
  • Clear licensure pathway

Cons

  • Hospital shift work (nights, weekends)
  • High-stakes, sometimes stressful situations
  • Exposure to illness
  • Physically active days

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting strong pay-per-education in health care
  • Those who thrive in fast-paced clinical settings
  • Anyone drawn to critical-care work

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want low-stress, predictable hours
  • Those uncomfortable with acute-care intensity

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Respiratory Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.