Respiratory Therapist salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Respiratory Therapists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $77,150 a year ($37.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,100 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 8% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $83,700. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,820, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| 25th percentile | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Median | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| 75th percentile | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Average (mean) | $76,820 | $36.94 |
Half of respiratory therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,429.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,214.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,967.31 |
| Weekly | $1,483.65 |
| Hourly | $37.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rome, GA | $98,720 | 120 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $95,520 | 2,670 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,730 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $80,730 | 180 |
| Mobile, AL | $79,490 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,560 | 350 |
| Savannah, GA | $78,200 | 240 |
| Montgomery, AL | $76,920 | 180 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $76,560 | 70 |
| Albany, GA | $76,540 | 70 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $74,650 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | 370 |
| Valdosta, GA | $67,600 | 100 |
| Birmingham, AL | $67,480 | 790 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $66,740 | 60 |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,330 | 270 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,140 | 110 |
| Gadsden, AL | $62,800 | 70 |
| Dothan, AL | $61,290 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $121,530 | $58.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $191,360 | $92.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,240 | $38.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,580 | $45.47 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,540 | $44.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $179,420 | $86.26 |
| Physician Assistant | $117,030 | $56.27 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Dentists, General | $196,310 | $94.38 |
| Veterinarian | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Pediatricians, General | $181,990 | $87.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1126. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $77,150 a year, or $37.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $95,100 a year. The top 25% earn $85,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,240 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,210 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 150 respiratory therapists are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.