Respiratory Therapy Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Respiratory Therapy students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/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 Gresham is approximately $55,100.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,530
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$391,148
Lifetime earnings premium ($495,900) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Respiratory Therapy
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Gresham
Pharmacy
$55K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$55K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$55K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$55K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Gresham — 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 Gresham.