PayByState

Alabama · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Alabama

Median $67,050 · Top 10% earn $78,750+ · Roughly 2,026 workers in Alabama. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Alabama median
$67,050
$32.24/hr
Top 10%
$78,750
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$46,580
Entry-level range
Real pay
$76,716
CoL-adjusted (RPP 87.4)

Alabama pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $67,050 versus the national median of $77,960. Alabama's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 2,026 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Alabama

Alabama sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. respiratory therapist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Alabama ranks #48 of 50 states

Where Alabama sits in the national distribution for respiratory therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Alabama
#47 Louisiana $68,600 +$1,550
#46 Kentucky $69,380 +$2,330
#45 Oklahoma $69,380 +$2,330
#48 Alabama (this page) $67,050 —
#50 Arkansas $66,270 −$780
#51 Mississippi $65,490 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Alabama

The typical path is a associate degree + state license; bachelor's preferred for advancement, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $9,000 (community college) to $50,000 (private accelerated). On the Alabama median of $67,050, payback periods are typically 1.4 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Respiratory Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Alabama selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Alabama — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Alabama?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Alabama is $67,050 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $46,580; the top 10% earn $78,750 or more. About 2,026 people work in this role across the state.
How does Alabama respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Alabama's median of $67,050 is $10,910 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Alabama's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 87.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $76,716.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Alabama?
On the data: Alabama employs roughly 2,026 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $67,050 and the top decile clearing $78,750. The role is projected to grow +13% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for respiratory therapists in Alabama?
At the Alabama median of $67,050 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $32.24/hr. The top 10% earn around $37.86/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $22.39/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Alabama-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1126: Respiratory Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Alabama's RPP is 87.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.