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Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

New Mexico employs 840 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $68,870 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Mexico licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in New Mexico (May 2025)

New Mexico median pay: $68,870 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $61,990
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,810
Top earners (90th percentile): $91,220
Employed in New Mexico: 840
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major New Mexico markets:

Albuquerque: $68,870 (500 employed)
Farmington: $67,600 (50 employed)
Las Cruces: $62,960 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Mexico

Prices in New Mexico run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $68,870 median stretches to roughly $74,696 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in New Mexico (2024–2034)

New Mexico is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +19.4%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 50 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Mexico License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board (RLD).

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
Apply for licensure through the New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board (RLD) →

Training in New Mexico

Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Mexico include:

Central New Mexico Community College — Associate
Clovis Community College — Associate
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College — Associate
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in New Mexico

Real New Mexico hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Presbyterian Hospital — Albuquerque
Unm Hospital — Albuquerque
VA Hosp — Albuquerque
Memorial Medical Center — Las Cruces
Lovelace Medical Center — Albuquerque
Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center — Santa Fe

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 New Mexico?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in New Mexico is $68,870 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $91,220. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico?

Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board (RLD). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in New Mexico?

Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.

Which New Mexico metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among New Mexico metro areas, Albuquerque leads at $68,870, followed by Farmington ($67,600), Las Cruces ($62,960). 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 New Mexico?

Real New Mexico options include Central New Mexico Community College, Clovis Community College, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch 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 New Mexico?

New Mexico projects respiratory therapists employment to change +19.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 50 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), New Mexico statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board (RLD) (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 New Mexico wages · New Mexico 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.