Respiratory Therapy Degree in Erie, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Erie, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.3 yrs
in Erie
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Erie, PA Overview
While Erie has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Respiratory Therapy students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,896/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Erie is approximately $60,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,346/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$21,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,237/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
63%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Erie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Erie's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Erie adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Erie
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Erie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,346 | Private avg: $35,160
Erie avg aid: $15,237/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$148,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,000
vs HS diploma in Erie
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Erie
$391,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($540,000) minus total education cost ($148,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Erie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Erie for Respiratory Therapy
Gannon University
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Penn State Behrend
public
$15,346/yr
$61,384 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Erie Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Erie
Erie offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Erie Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$75K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$58K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$59K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$47K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$60K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$63K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$46K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Erie
Pharmacy
$60K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$82K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$60K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$60K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Erie — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Respiratory Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Erie.