How long does respiratory therapist training take in Alabama?

Most people become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama through a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure.

Do respiratory therapists need a license in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Alabama?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Alabama earned a median annual wage of approximately $66,150. Employment concentration in Alabama is about 1.24 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Alabama?

Alabama currently employs approximately 2,350 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alabama respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $66,150 ($31.81/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,350 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.6% below the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $66,150 ($31.81/hr)
25th percentile: $57,480 per year
75th percentile: $76,920 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,030 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $50,250 per year
Workers employed in Alabama: 2,350
Versus national median: -19.6% below the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.24 - this occupation is more concentrated in Alabama than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Alabama employs about 2,350 respiratory therapists earning a median $66,150 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Respiratory Therapist here means completing a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure, then applying through Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist.

Alabama employs approximately 2,350 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $66,150 ¹. The state’s concentration of respiratory therapist jobs is 1.24x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (find programs)
Typical timeline: a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure
Licensing authority: Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Alabama): $66,150 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist.

Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama credentials this role through Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Alabama is $66,150 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,250 and experienced professionals can earn $81,030 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alabama

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Alabama typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites. Confirm current rules with the program.
Complete a CoARC-accredited program. Enroll in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program in Alabama, usually an associate degree. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams. Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice exam and Clinical Simulation Exam for the RRT credential. CRT-only practice is limited; confirm with Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist before you practice. Confirm any jurisprudence or ethics exam with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Respiratory Therapist License Requirements in Alabama

Respiratory therapists in Alabama complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist for an RCP or equivalent license. See Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), respiratory therapists wages in Alabama vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Birmingham	790	$67,480	$67,650	$50,850	$81,000
Huntsville	270	$64,330	$67,020	$48,110	$80,910
Mobile	180	$79,490	$75,720	$61,840	$80,130
Montgomery	180	$76,920	$90,550	$53,640	$172,420
Columbus	150	$77,150	$76,820	$63,240	$95,100
Tuscaloosa	110	$64,140	$62,210	$51,670	$77,060
Dothan	100	$61,290	$59,300	$41,900	$82,190
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley	80	$74,650	$71,660	$63,060	$75,150
Gadsden	70	$62,800	$64,980	$47,720	$73,640
Anniston-Oxford	60	$66,740	$70,530	$53,360	$80,570

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 2,350 respiratory therapists ¹. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a respiratory therapist in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alabama.

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Alabama is $66,150, which is $14,300 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alabama

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapist - Licensing Information: https://www.asbrt.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)