Respiratory Therapist salary in Alexandria, LA
Respiratory Therapists in the Alexandria, LA metro area earn a median of $71,140 a year ($34.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,510 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 5% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $75,240. There are 1.9 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Alexandria, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| 25th percentile | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Median | $71,140 | $34.20 |
| 75th percentile | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Average (mean) | $73,300 | $35.24 |
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 | $5,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,964.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,736.15 |
| Weekly | $1,368.08 |
| Hourly | $34.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $76,680 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $76,590 | 620 |
| Lafayette, LA | $76,210 | 290 |
| Hammond, LA | $75,990 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $75,770 | 90 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,220 | 320 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $73,940 | 280 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $73,680 | 60 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $62,260 | 120 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Alexandria, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,080 | $59.17 |
| Pharmacist | $134,340 | $64.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Physicians, All Other | $349,010 | $167.80 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,710 | $63.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Veterinarian | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $54,880 | $26.38 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $29,190 | $14.03 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alexandria, LA
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 Alexandria, LA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Alexandria, LA metro area is $71,140 a year, or $34.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Alexandria, LA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Alexandria, LA metro area earn at least $82,510 a year. The top 25% earn $77,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Alexandria, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,180 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,250 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Alexandria, LA?
About 110 respiratory therapists are employed in the Alexandria, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.