Respiratory Therapist salary in Georgia
Respiratory Therapists in Georgia earn a median of $83,700 a year ($40.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,320 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $82,280. Georgia ranks 21st of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,050 | $31.28 |
| 25th percentile | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Median | $83,700 | $40.24 |
| 75th percentile | $101,690 | $48.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,320 | $54.00 |
| Average (mean) | $88,340 | $42.47 |
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 | $6,975 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,487.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,219.23 |
| Weekly | $1,609.62 |
| Hourly | $40.24 |
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 Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rome, GA | $98,720 | 120 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $95,520 | 2,670 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,730 | 90 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,550 | $44.98 |
| Pharmacist | $137,120 | $65.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,430 | $62.22 |
| Physicians, All Other | $266,880 | $128.31 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,490 | $45.91 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,390 | $55.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $425,460 | $204.55 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Occupational Therapist | $104,010 | $50.01 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Veterinarian | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Dentists, General | $206,760 | $99.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Georgia is $83,700 a year, or $40.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Georgia?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Georgia earn at least $112,320 a year. The top 25% earn $101,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,050 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $74,400 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Georgia?
About 5,150 respiratory therapists are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.