Respiratory Therapist salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Respiratory Therapists in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $64,140 a year ($30.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,060 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 3% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $66,150. There are 0.98 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,210, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| 25th percentile | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Median | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| 75th percentile | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Average (mean) | $62,210 | $29.91 |
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 | $5,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,672.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,466.92 |
| Weekly | $1,233.46 |
| Hourly | $30.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $79,490 | 180 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $77,150 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $76,920 | 180 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $74,650 | 80 |
| Birmingham, AL | $67,480 | 790 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $66,740 | 60 |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,330 | 270 |
| 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Pharmacist | $132,430 | $63.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $110,460 | $53.10 |
| Physicians, All Other | $243,530 | $117.08 |
| Dental Hygienist | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,450 | $51.18 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $195,660 | $94.07 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Physician Assistant | $101,120 | $48.62 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,360 | $26.62 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $37,410 | $17.99 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $64,140 a year, or $30.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $77,060 a year. The top 25% earn $67,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,670 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $51,670 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 110 respiratory therapists are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.