Respiratory Therapist in Alabama: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Alabama employs 2,350 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $66,150 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alabama licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Alabama (May 2025)
- Alabama median pay
- $66,150 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $50,250
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $76,920
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $81,030
- Employed in Alabama
- 2,350
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Alabama markets:
- Mobile
- $79,490 (180 employed)
- Columbus
- $77,150 (150 employed)
- Montgomery
- $76,920 (180 employed)
- Birmingham
- $67,480 (790 employed)
- Huntsville
- $64,330 (270 employed)
- Tuscaloosa
- $64,140 (110 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Alabama
Prices in Alabama run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,150 median stretches to roughly $74,493 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Alabama (2024–2034)
Alabama is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +9.4%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 140 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Alabama License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply for licensure through the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy →
Training in Alabama
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC technical-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alabama include:
- Bevill State Community College — Associate
- Bishop State Community College — Associate
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College — Associate
- Coastal Alabama Community College — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Alabama
Real Alabama hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Central AL Veterans Hlth Care System East Campus — Tuskegee
- University of Alabama Hospital — Birmingham
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center — Tuscaloosa
- Huntsville Hospital — Huntsville
- Dch Regional Medical Center — Tuscaloosa
- Mobile Infirmary Medical Center — Mobile
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want meaningful clinical work with a focused training path.
Think twice if: Emergency settings, hospitals, and vulnerable patients feel too stressful.
Why it's resilient: Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
First Steps
Compare accredited respiratory care programs and board exam requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Alabama?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Alabama is $66,150 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,250, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,030. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Alabama?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Alabama metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Alabama metro areas, Mobile leads at $79,490, followed by Columbus ($77,150), Montgomery ($76,920). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama?
Real Alabama options include Bevill State Community College, Bishop State Community College, Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Alabama?
Alabama projects respiratory therapists employment to change +9.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 140 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alabama statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alabama wages · Alabama licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.