What is the average Respiratory Therapist salary for San Diego, CA?
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As of August 01, 2026, the average Respiratory Therapist salary in San Diego, CA is $117,909. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Respiratory Therapist job titles in San Diego, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Respiratory Therapist job titles in San Diego, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Respiratory Therapist Salaries in San Diego, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Registered Respiratory Therapist | $84,434 | $40.59 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Certified Respiratory Therapist | $78,031 | $37.51 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Transport Respiratory Therapist | $100,616 | $48.37 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Respiratory Tech - Certified | $73,046 | $35.12 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Respiratory Therapy Supervisor | $110,660 | $53.20 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Respiratory Therapy Manager | $127,580 | $61.34 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Occupational Therapist | $119,075 | $57.25 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Respiratory Therapy Senior Manager | $151,359 | $72.77 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Physical Therapist I | $109,522 | $52.65 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Physical Therapist III | $131,395 | $63.17 | San Diego, CA | August 01, 2026 |
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Assumes primary responsibility for respiratory care treatment. Specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with pulmonary disorders. Implements and manages respiratory therapy treatment plans. Collects and analyzes sputum, blood, and breath specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. May also measure the lung capacity of a patient to determine if there is impaired function. Requires an associate degree. Requires Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Registered Respiratory Therapist Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Respiratory Care Therapist, Senior Registered Respiratory Therapist, Registered Respiratory TherapistCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Specializes in treating patients with breathing difficulties and pulmonary disorders. Collaborates with physicians to implement prescribed treatment plans. Conducts lung function tests, and analyzes blood and sputum samples to evaluate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Operates and maintains ventilators, CPAP machines, and other devices for patients requiring respiratory support. Requires an associate degree. Requires Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) certification. Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Certified Respiratory Therapist Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Respiratory Care Therapist, Respiratory Care Practitioner, Respiratory Care Therapist, Certified Respiratory TherapistCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Provides specialized respiratory care and management to patients during emergency transport or transport between healthcare facilities. Assesses patients' respiratory status, monitors vital signs, and implements appropriate respiratory therapies, including oxygen therapy, ventilation management, and airway management techniques. Ensures that equipment, such as ventilators, CPAP machines, and other respiratory devices, are functioning correctly during transport. Requires an associate degree. Requires Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) certification and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Transport Respiratory Therapist Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist (CCT-RT),, Transport Respiratory Care Therapist, Transport Respiratory Specialist, Transport Respiratory TherapistCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Assists the respiratory therapist in diagnostic testing and treatment implementation for patients with breathing disorders. Conducts pulmonary function tests. Operates and maintains respiratory equipment such as ventilators, oxygen therapy devices, and nebulizers. Monitors patient responses to treatments and documents therapy outcomes. Requires an associate degree. Requires completion of an approved Respiratory Therapy Technician Program. Requires certification from the National Board for Respiratory Therapy. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Respiratory Tech - Certified Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Respiratory Care Technician, Respiratory Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy Technician, Respiratory Tech - CertifiedCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Supervises the team that provides respiratory services. Ensures that treatments are administered correctly and in accordance with prescribed care plans. Monitors equipment inventory and maintenance. May perform diagnostic tests and administer respiratory therapy treatment. Requires an associate degree. Requires Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision. Respiratory Therapy Supervisor Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Respiratory Care Services Supervisor, Respiratory Care Supervisor, Respiratory Care Team Lead, Respiratory Therapy SupervisorCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Manages the team that provides respiratory services. Implements respiratory care policies, procedures, and services. Ensures that treatments are administered correctly and in accordance with prescribed care plans and regulatory standards. Responsible for equipment inventory and maintenance. May perform diagnostic tests and administer respiratory therapy treatment. Requires an associate degree. Requires Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Respiratory Therapy Manager Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Respiratory Therapy Manager, Respiratory Care Manager, Respiratory Care Services Manager, Respiratory Therapy Manager
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Plans and conducts individualized occupational therapy programs to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Conducts baseline tests, assessments, and interviews to gather information on daily environment and barriers, evaluate abilities, and understand needs and goals. Maintains accurate patient records including treatment plans, progress, and outcomes and prepares and delivers reports for other healthcare professionals or insurance providers. Recommends adaptive equipment for participating in activities and teaches patients skills and techniques for use. May require a master's degree. Requires Occupational Therapist License and Registration (OTR/L). Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Occupational Therapist Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Certified Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist (OT), Registered Occupational Therapist, Occupational TherapistCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Oversees and manages the team that provides respiratory services. Plans and implements the overall respiratory care policies, procedures, and services. Ensures that treatments are administered correctly and in accordance with prescribed care plans and regulatory standards. Requires an associate degree. Requires Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. Requires State License to practice. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Respiratory Therapy Senior Manager Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Respiratory Therapy Senior Manager, Respiratory Care Senior Manager, Respiratory Care Services Director, Respiratory Therapy Senior Manager
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Evaluates and treats patients recovering from injury, disease, surgery, or other ailments. Establishes individualized treatment plans and treats patients using a variety of methods, including exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment. Maintains patient records by keeping track of goals and progress while adapting treatment plans accordingly. Advises patients and their families on in-home treatment options and what to expect from the recovery process. May work with and/or consult with physicians, case managers, and other medical professionals. Requires a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Requires Certified Physical Therapist (CPT). Requires Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT). Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Physical Therapist I Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) I, Physical Therapist - Associate, Physical Therapist I
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Evaluates and treats patients recovering from injury, disease, surgery, or other ailments. Establishes individualized treatment plans and treats patients using a variety of methods, including exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment. Maintains patient records by keeping track of goals and progress while adapting treatment plans accordingly. Advises patients and their families on in-home treatment options and what to expect from the recovery process. May work with and/or consult with physicians, case managers, and other medical professionals. Requires a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Requires Certified Physical Therapist (CPT). Requires Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT). Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Physical Therapist III Salaries in San Diego, CAAlternate Job Titles:Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) III, Physical Therapist - Senior, Physical Therapist III