What to Pay a Respiratory Therapist in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
How to set your RT pay range in Colorado Springs
Three pay positions, modeled against current Colorado Springs market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
RT salary percentile distribution in Colorado Springs, CO
Where the Colorado Springs market actually sits for RT base pay.
Most Colorado Springs employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($80,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $70,000 and a max of $92,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Colorado pay transparency compliance for RT job postings
What you must post when hiring a RT in Colorado.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 1+ Colorado employees or remote roles open to CO residents | $500–$10,000 per violation |
| Benefits summary in posting | All covered postings | $500–$10,000 per violation |
| Notify current employees of promotions | All covered employers | $500–$10,000 per violation |
For a RT role in Colorado Springs, a compliant good-faith range looks like $70,000 to $92,000. Colorado requires a specific range — not a single number. A good-faith range is $70,000–$92,000 for this role.
Top RT employers in Colorado Springs — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring RTs in the Colorado Springs metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCHealth Memorial Hospital | Academic medical center system | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Centura Health – Penrose-St. Francis | Health system | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Children's Hospital Colorado – Colorado Springs | Pediatric specialty | $75K–$94K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Peak Vista Community Health Centers | FQHC | $70K–$90K | Loan repayment |
| Evans Army Community Hospital | Military / federal | $72K–$91K | Federal benefits |
RT talent supply and hiring difficulty in Colorado Springs
How hard is it to fill a RT role in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs respiratory therapist market centered on hospital ICU/ER, neonatal units, and pulmonary rehabilitation. ECMO specialists and NICU RTs command specialty premiums.
Skill premiums RT candidates command in Colorado Springs, CO
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) | +7–10% | Very high |
| NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist) | +7–10% | Very high |
| ECMO specialist | +9–14% | High — specialty centers |
| RRT-SDS (Sleep Disorders) | +5–8% | Moderate |
RT total compensation in Colorado Springs — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for RTs in Colorado Springs. "Prevalence" reflects share of Colorado Springs disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Colorado Springs Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $80,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +12–18% premium | ~86% |
| Sign-on bonus | $5K–$11K | ~62% |
| Certification pay (ACCS, NPS) | +7–10% on base | ~52% |
| Overtime opportunity | $8K–$16K annualized | ~90% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$98K–$115K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
RT pay by setting in Colorado Springs — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the RT range splits by employer type in the Colorado Springs metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute-care hospital (general) | $77,000 | $69K–$88K | Moderate |
| ICU / critical care RT | $88,000 | $78K–$99K | Very high |
| Emergency department RT | $85,000 | $75K–$96K | Very high |
| Neonatal / pediatric RT | $86,000 | $77K–$98K | Very high |
| Pulmonary rehab / sleep lab | $72,000 | $66K–$83K | Moderate |
FAQ: hiring a Respiratory Therapist in Colorado Springs, CO
Related RT pay benchmarks — Colorado metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.