Respiratory Therapist salary in Albuquerque, NM
Respiratory Therapists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $68,870 a year ($33.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,220 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the New Mexico statewide median of $68,870. There are 1.2 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,160 | $29.89 |
| 25th percentile | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Median | $68,870 | $33.11 |
| 75th percentile | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,220 | $41.93 |
| Average (mean) | $72,810 | $35.01 |
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 | $5,739.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,869.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,648.85 |
| Weekly | $1,324.42 |
| Hourly | $33.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $67,600 | 50 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $62,960 | 70 |
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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,950 | $67.77 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,900 | $46.10 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,510 | $49.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Dentists, General | $141,580 | $68.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,920 | $67.27 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| Veterinarian | $140,200 | $67.40 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $185,200 | $89.04 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $405,130 | $194.77 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $68,870 a year, or $33.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $87,220 a year. The top 25% earn $75,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,160 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,770 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 500 respiratory therapists are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.