Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Respiratory Therapists salary really buy you in Florida?
Florida is 2.1% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Florida's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Respiratory Therapists earning $81,160 in Florida has the equivalent purchasing power of $79,490 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Florida's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $64,240 | $62,918 | $-1,321 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $75,210 | $73,663 | $-1,546 |
| Median (P50) | $81,160 | $79,490 | $-1,669 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $87,990 | $86,180 | $-1,809 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $100,310 | $98,246 | $-2,063 |
Florida's cost of living is close to the national average, so $81,160 keeps most of its value at $79,490 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
With an RPP of 102.1, Florida is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Respiratory Therapists is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.
After adjusting for Florida's cost of living, $81,160 nominal nets out to $79,491 in real purchasing power — a small 2.1% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Respiratory Therapists.
Florida ranks #45 of 51 — bottom quartile for Respiratory Therapists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Respiratory Therapists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Florida ranks #45 out of 51 states for Respiratory Therapists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Respiratory Therapists take-home pay in Florida after taxes →
A Respiratory Therapists in Florida earns a median salary of $81,160 per year. After adjusting for Florida's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $79,490 — a -2.1% difference.
Florida's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Florida is 102.1 (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 Therapists in Florida: $81,160 x (100 / 102.1) = $79,490. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Respiratory Therapists's nominal salary of $81,160 in Florida has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $79,490. However, Florida may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.