Respiratory Therapist Salary in New Jersey (2026)
New Jersey respiratory therapists earn a mean of $99,760/yr (BLS OEWS May 2025), 14% above the national mean of $87,300.
Mean: $99,760Median: $100,810Hourly: $47.96/hrEmployed: 3,350
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey Mean$99,760
National Mean$87,300
Percentile range in New Jersey: $78,000 (10th) to $123,370 (90th).
Cost of Living Context
New Jersey has a cost of living index of 120 (national baseline: 100). The COL-adjusted salary equivalent is approximately $83,100, representing the purchasing power of this salary in a hypothetical average-cost US market. The high cost of living reduces the effective value of the above-average nominal salary.
New Jersey Metro Area Breakdown
BLS OEWS May 2025 mean annual wages by metropolitan statistical area.
#1New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$113,400#2Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ
$103,000Top RT Employers in New Jersey
RWJBarnabas Health
Hackensack Meridian Health
Atlantic Health System
Cooper University Health Care
Capital Health
Virtua Health
New Jersey Licensure Requirements
- Licensing Board
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Respiratory Care Committee
- Initial Fee
- $140 initial application
- CE Hours Required
- 30 hours per 2-year renewal
- Renewal Cycle
- Every 2 years
All New Jersey applicants must hold an NBRC credential (CRT or RRT) and provide proof of completion of a CoARC-accredited programme. Background check required.
Frequently Asked Questions: New Jersey
How much do entry-level RTs earn in New Jersey?
New graduate RTs in New Jersey typically earn $65,000 to $75,000, with Newark and Jersey City positions (part of the NYC metro) at the top of the range. Southern New Jersey positions pay closer to $58,000 to $65,000. The NYC metro spillover effect elevates northern New Jersey wages significantly.
Which New Jersey metro pays RTs the most?
The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area covers northern New Jersey and leads the state at $113,400 mean annual (BLS OEWS May 2025). Major academic medical centers in Newark and Jersey City participate in this metro wage market, while Atlantic City-Hammonton follows at $103,000.
Does New Jersey require the RRT credential?
New Jersey requires RTs to be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Licensure requires passing the NBRC TMC exam at minimum CRT level. Most New Jersey hospital systems require the RRT for new hires, and the New Jersey RT Association has advocated for mandatory RRT licensure requirements.
Is New Jersey a good state for travel RTs?
New Jersey positions within the NYC metro offer travel packages of $2,000 to $2,600 per week, benefiting from NYC-level demand. The high state income tax (up to 10.75% for higher earners) is a significant consideration for travel RTs evaluating net take-home versus assignments in no-income-tax states like Texas or Nevada.