Salary · KY · SOC 29-1126
Respiratory Therapist (RT) salary in Kentucky, per year and per hour
BLS data for May 2025. Median, mean, and percentile pay for respiratory therapists in Kentucky, with every metro area BLS publishes.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, released May 15, 2026. Publisher page
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Quick answer
Respiratory Therapist pay in Kentucky vs the US
| Measure | KY annual | KY hourly | US annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $72,750 | $34.98 | $82,280 |
| Mean (average) | $72,470 | $34.84 | $87,300 |
| 10th percentile | $58,330 | $28.04 | $63,660 |
| 25th percentile | $63,110 | $30.34 | $74,520 |
| 75th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 | $98,730 |
| 90th percentile | $92,540 | $44.49 | $118,050 |
Employment in Kentucky: 2,530. Location quotient: 1.41 (1.0 = the national share of jobs).
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page
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Respiratory Therapist salary by metro area in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | $36.81 | 840 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,040 | $38.48 | 430 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $68,490 | $32.93 | 90 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | $36.59 | 80 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | $35.60 | 40 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | $39.23 | 1,300 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | $31.75 | 270 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | $38.05 | 60 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page
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Questions
How much does a RT make per hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly wage was $34.98 in May 2025, per BLS. The 10th percentile was $28.04 and the 90th was $44.49.
What is the average RT salary in Kentucky?
BLS reports a mean (average) of $72,470 a year and a median of $72,750 for May 2025. The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by the highest earners.
Do respiratory therapists in Kentucky earn more than the US median?
The Kentucky median of $72,750 is 12% lower than the US median of $82,280 (BLS, May 2025).
How does Kentucky rank for respiratory therapist pay?
Kentucky ranks 45 of 51 states (plus DC) by median annual wage for respiratory therapists (BLS, May 2025).
Where do these numbers come from?
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates, SOC 29-1126. Figures BLS did not publish are left out.
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