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Hire a Respiratory Therapist in San Diego, CA
Travel contracts are bidding for the same therapists you are. An RRT who runs the ICU alone belongs at this metro's upper quarter. In San Diego, the May 2025 median is about $105.0K, within 3 percent of the California median.
What to offer
A hospital that copies a national midpoint will lose therapists to travel contracts. Use this metro's median for someone new, and the 75th for someone who runs the ICU alone.
| Percentile | Metro | CA | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $87,410 | $87,750 | $74,520 |
| Median | $105,040 | $104,820 | $82,280 |
| 75th | $125,840 | $129,010 | $98,730 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How hard this is to fill
This is the same score as the free check.
For one manager
Say the unit, the shift, and the ventilator mix you need covered. Ask about the RRT credential and how much critical care time the person has.
License and training
Every state except Alaska licenses respiratory therapists. Most employers want the NBRC's CRT or RRT credential. Confirm your state board's rules before you hire or start.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, respiratory therapists
Nearby metros
- Riverside, CA · 79 miles
- Los Angeles, CA · 111 miles
- Oxnard, CA · 153 miles
- Yuma, AZ · 153 miles
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Job seekers: Respiratory Therapist jobs in San Diego.
Respiratory Therapists hiring pages
Questions
What do respiratory therapists earn in San Diego, CA?
In San Diego, the May 2025 median for respiratory therapists is about $105.0K, 28% over the U.S. median. The middle half runs from $87.4K to $125.8K.
Who hires respiratory therapists in San Diego?
Hospitals hire respiratory therapists in San Diego, along with home medical equipment companies. Organizations on file in the provider extract include Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Bh-sdopco, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals.
Do I need a license to work as an RT in California?
Almost every state licenses respiratory therapists. Check the California board before you start in San Diego.
What should a hospital in San Diego weigh when hiring an RT?
Ask about the RRT and ICU experience. San Diego has about as many of these workers as a typical metro. This metro is within 3 percent of the California median.