PayByState

New Mexico · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in New Mexico

Median $73,280 · Top 10% earn $89,260+ · Roughly 810 workers in New Mexico. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

New Mexico median
$73,280
$35.23/hr
Top 10%
$89,260
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$50,910
Entry-level range
Real pay
$80,351
CoL-adjusted (RPP 91.2)

New Mexico pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $73,280 versus the national median of $77,960. New Mexico's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $2,391 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 810 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in New Mexico

New Mexico pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

New Mexico ranks #32 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. New Mexico
#30 Wyoming $74,060 +$780
#29 North Dakota $74,060 +$780
#28 Montana $74,060 +$780
#32 New Mexico (this page) $73,280 —
#34 North Carolina $72,500 −$780
#35 Nebraska $72,500 −$780
#36 Georgia $71,720 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for New Mexico

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 New Mexico median of $73,280, payback periods are typically 1.2 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 New Mexico selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in New Mexico — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in New Mexico?
The median respiratory therapist salary in New Mexico is $73,280 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $50,910; the top 10% earn $89,260 or more. About 810 people work in this role across the state.
How does New Mexico respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico's median of $73,280 is $4,680 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for New Mexico's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 91.2), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $80,351.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in New Mexico?
On the data: New Mexico employs roughly 810 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $73,280 and the top decile clearing $89,260. 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 New Mexico?
At the New Mexico median of $73,280 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $35.23/hr. The top 10% earn around $42.91/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $24.48/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

New Mexico-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 New Mexico's RPP is 91.2 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.