Respiratory Therapist Salary in Washington (2026)
Washington respiratory therapists earn a mean of $88,700/yr (BLS OES May 2024), 8% above the national mean of $82,430.
Mean: $88,700Median: $86,500Hourly: $42.65/hrEmployed: 3,000
Washington vs National Average
Washington Mean$88,700
National Mean$82,430
Percentile range in Washington: $63,600 (10th) to $116,000 (90th).
Cost of Living Context
Washington has a cost of living index of 115 (national baseline: 100). The COL-adjusted salary equivalent is approximately $77,100, 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.
Washington Metro Area Breakdown
BLS OES May 2024 mean annual wages by metropolitan statistical area.
#1Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
$96,800#2Spokane-Spokane Valley
$74,100#3Kennewick-Richland
$72,800#4Yakima
$69,400Top RT Employers in Washington
Seattle Children's Hospital
UW Medicine
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Providence Health & Services
MultiCare Health System
PeaceHealth
Washington Licensure Requirements
- Licensing Board
- Washington State Department of Health
- Initial Fee
- $150 initial application
- CE Hours Required
- 30 hours per 2-year renewal
- Renewal Cycle
- Every 2 years
All Washington 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: Washington
How much do entry-level RTs earn in Washington state?
New graduate RTs in the Seattle metro area typically earn $72,000 to $82,000. Positions outside Seattle (Spokane, Yakima) start $12,000 to $18,000 lower. Washington has no state income tax, which meaningfully improves take-home pay compared to states like California or New York with similar gross salaries.
Which Washington metro pays RTs the most?
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro leads at $96,800 mean annual (BLS May 2024), roughly 9% above the Washington state mean. Seattle Children's Hospital and UW Medicine are known for above-average RT compensation and strong specialty credential support.
Does Washington require the RRT credential?
Washington requires RTs to be credentialed by the NBRC (CRT or RRT) to obtain a state licence. Most Washington hospital systems require the RRT for all new clinical hires. Seattle Children's requires the NPS credential for NICU positions within 18 months of hire.
Is Washington a good state for travel RTs?
Yes. Washington is one of the top travel RT markets on the West Coast. Seattle assignments pay $2,100 to $2,700 per week, driven by strong hospital demand and competition with California for RT talent. The absence of state income tax further increases net take-home relative to California assignments of similar gross pay.