Respiratory Therapist salary in Alabama
Respiratory Therapists in Alabama earn a median of $66,150 a year ($31.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,030 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $82,280. Alabama ranks 50th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| 25th percentile | $57,480 | $27.64 |
| Median | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| 75th percentile | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Average (mean) | $68,480 | $32.92 |
Half of respiratory therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,512.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,756.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,544.23 |
| Weekly | $1,272.12 |
| Hourly | $31.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $79,490 | 180 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $77,150 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $76,920 | 180 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $74,650 | 80 |
| Birmingham, AL | $67,480 | 790 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $66,740 | 60 |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,330 | 270 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,140 | 110 |
| Gadsden, AL | $62,800 | 70 |
| Dothan, AL | $61,290 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $190,300 | $91.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | $50.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Optometrist | $145,090 | $69.75 |
| Chiropractor | $80,990 | $38.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1126. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Alabama?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Alabama is $66,150 a year, or $31.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Alabama earn at least $81,030 a year. The top 25% earn $76,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,250 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $57,480 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Alabama?
About 2,350 respiratory therapists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.