Respiratory Therapist in Alabama

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$64,010

trending_down -20.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Alabama.

engineering

2,250

Jobs (AL)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$215

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Alabama

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Alabama, you must obtain a state license from the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy. Key steps include completing an Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program, passing the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submitting a completed application with a $25 application fee and a $75 initial license fee. The license must be renewed every two years, requiring 24 hours of continuing education per cycle.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,490

25th percentile $52,990

50th (median) $64,010

75th percentile $71,970

90th (experienced) $82,920

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Alabama. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Alabama requirements

Licensing body	Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($190)
Application fee	$25
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A criminal background check is required. Temporary licenses are available for new graduates for six months, renewable once, to allow time to take the national exam.

Source: Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+12.1%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

8,800

Nationwide per year

Total employment

139,600

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.19/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleAlabama license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.1%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a respiratory therapist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a respiratory therapist in Alabama? expand_more

Alabama requires respiratory therapists to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($25 fee).

Is a respiratory therapist license required in Alabama? expand_more

Yes, Alabama requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy. You must pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam.

How much does a respiratory therapist make in Alabama? expand_more

The median respiratory therapist salary in Alabama is $64,010 per year. — 20% under the $80,450 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $48,490, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $82,920.

How expensive is respiratory therapist licensing in Alabama? expand_more

Between exam fee ($190) and application fee ($25), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How many months or years does respiratory therapist certification take in Alabama? expand_more

Expect to spend 2-4 years from start to finish in Alabama — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do respiratory therapists need in Alabama? expand_more

To keep your license active, Alabama mandates 24.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.