PayByState

Arkansas · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Arkansas

Median $66,270 · Top 10% earn $77,470+ · Roughly 1,351 workers in Arkansas. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Arkansas median
$66,270
$31.86/hr
Top 10%
$77,470
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$46,040
Entry-level range
Real pay
$76,701
CoL-adjusted (RPP 86.4)

Arkansas pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $66,270 versus the national median of $77,960. Arkansas's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 1,351 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Arkansas

Arkansas 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.

Arkansas ranks #50 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Arkansas
#49 West Virginia $67,050 +$780
#48 Alabama $67,050 +$780
#47 Louisiana $68,600 +$2,330
#50 Arkansas (this page) $66,270 —
#51 Mississippi $65,490 −$780
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Arkansas

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 Arkansas median of $66,270, payback periods are typically 1.5 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 Arkansas selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Arkansas — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Arkansas?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Arkansas is $66,270 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $46,040; the top 10% earn $77,470 or more. About 1,351 people work in this role across the state.
How does Arkansas respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas's median of $66,270 is $11,690 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 86.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $76,701.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Arkansas?
On the data: Arkansas employs roughly 1,351 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $66,270 and the top decile clearing $77,470. 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 Arkansas?
At the Arkansas median of $66,270 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $31.86/hr. The top 10% earn around $37.25/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $22.13/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Arkansas-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 Arkansas's RPP is 86.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.