Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Cleveland, OH: Pay and Who's Hiring

In Cleveland, the May 2025 median for respiratory therapists is about $80.4K, within 3 percent of the U.S. median. The middle half runs from $78.0K to $86.0K.

Pay

The median is the middle of respiratory therapists already employed, not a starting wage. The 25th is the lower quarter of that group. The 75th is what the upper quarter already earns.

Percentile	Metro	OH	U.S.
25th	$77,960	$75,280	$74,520
Median	$80,360	$79,920	$82,280
75th	$85,960	$90,380	$98,730

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Hiring difficulty and demand

Hiring difficulty

2.0

Metro employment

1,380

National growth, 2025 to 2035

8.5%

National openings a year

8.6 thousand

This is the same score as the free check.

Who's hiring

Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 3 campuses
Cleveland Clinic Health System - East Region, 3 campuses
Fairview Hospital, 3 campuses
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center, 2 campuses
Highland Springs, 2 campuses
Lake Hospital System, 2 campuses

Campuses on file in the provider extract, not live job ads.

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

The work

You see your assigned patients, check each ventilator, give treatments, and adjust settings with the physician and the nurse. Codes and rapid responses can interrupt that plan at any hour.

Night shifts are common in hospital work, and weekends rotate. You also teach patients and families how to use oxygen and other equipment at home.

Nearby metros

Akron, OH · 29 miles
Canton, OH · 49 miles
Sandusky, OH · 54 miles
Youngstown, OH · 60 miles

Related roles

One manager hiring: Hire a Respiratory Therapist in Cleveland.

Respiratory Therapists hiring pages

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Questions

Who hires respiratory therapists in Cleveland?

Hospitals hire respiratory therapists in Cleveland, along with home medical equipment companies. Organizations on file in the provider extract include Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Clinic Health System - East Region, Fairview Hospital.

Do I need a license to work as an RT in Ohio?

Almost every state licenses respiratory therapists. Check the Ohio board before you start in Cleveland.

What should a hospital in Cleveland weigh when hiring an RT?

Ask about the RRT and ICU experience. Cleveland has far more of these workers than a typical metro. This metro is within 3 percent of the Ohio median.