What does a Respiratory Therapist salary really buy you in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Respiratory Therapist earning $83,600 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $79,847 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $66,690 | $63,696 | $-2,993 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $76,440 | $73,008 | $-3,431 |
| Median (P50) | $83,600 | $79,847 | $-3,752 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $93,720 | $89,512 | $-4,207 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $104,010 | $99,340 | $-4,669 |
While $83,600 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $79,847. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Respiratory Therapist salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Rhode Island ranks #30 out of 50 states for Respiratory Therapist after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $83,600 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $79,847 — a -4.5% difference.
Rhode Island's cost of living is 4.7% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Rhode Island is 104.7 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island: $83,600 x (100 / 104.7) = $79,847. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Respiratory Therapist's nominal salary of $83,600 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $79,847. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.