Respiratory Therapist salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Respiratory Therapists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $81,730 a year ($39.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,500 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 2% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $83,700. There are 0.99 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| 25th percentile | $73,080 | $35.14 |
| Median | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| 75th percentile | $90,180 | $43.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,500 | $47.84 |
| Average (mean) | $82,590 | $39.71 |
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 | $6,810.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,405.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,143.46 |
| Weekly | $1,571.73 |
| Hourly | $39.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rome, GA | $98,720 | 120 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $95,520 | 2,670 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $80,730 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,560 | 350 |
| Savannah, GA | $78,200 | 240 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $77,150 | 150 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $76,560 | 70 |
| Albany, GA | $76,540 | 70 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | 370 |
| Valdosta, GA | $67,600 | 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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Pharmacist | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,140 | $61.61 |
| Physicians, All Other | $235,360 | $113.15 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| Veterinarian | $123,320 | $59.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $281,100 | $135.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $217,050 | $104.35 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,080 | $48.59 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,890 | $45.14 |
| Dentists, General | $166,440 | $80.02 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $81,730 a year, or $39.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $99,500 a year. The top 25% earn $90,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,820 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $73,080 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 90 respiratory therapists are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.