AL · Decatur · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Decatur, AL

The median respiratory therapist pay in the Decatur area is $27.63 per hour ($57,470 a year), with the typical range running from $27.63 to $33.79. That ranks 265th of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 246th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Decatur. The free report below lists employers near Decatur and what they pay.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Decatur, AL

The metro median is 10% below the Alabama statewide median of $30.78 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 50 respiratory therapists employed in the Decatur metro area, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.99).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$19.91$41,41049% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$27.63$57,47029% below U.S. median
Median$27.63$57,47029% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$33.79$70,28013% below U.S. median
Top 10%$33.79$70,28013% below U.S. median

How Decatur ranks

  • 265th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 246th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 5th of 7 Alabama metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Decatur

  • Overall prices in Decatur run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 42% below the U.S. average (index 58.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $27.63 median hour buys what $31.68 buys at the national price level, 18% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Decatur, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Decatur paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$995
  • Per year: $49,734
  • Per month: $4,144

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Decatur metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Decatur

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel respiratory therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Respiratory Therapist roles in Alabama

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Decatur as they open.

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in Alabama

Respiratory Therapist salary in Alabama

Hospitals in Decatur

CMS lists 1 hospital in Decatur, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus
Decatur, AL
Acute careGovernment and federal3 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Respiratory Therapist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Madison, AL16 mi$32.33/hr64,029
Huntsville, AL20 mi$32.33/hr230,402
Birmingham, AL73 mi$31.31/hr196,357
Spring Hill, TN81 mi$37.57/hr59,398
Hoover, AL83 mi$31.31/hr93,013
Franklin, TN93 mi$37.57/hr89,142

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Alabama · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Alabama

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Alabama requires for your role with the Alabama licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Alabama taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Alabama state guide

Other healthcare roles in Decatur

Decatur city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Decatur, AL?

Respiratory Therapists in the Decatur metro area have a median pay of $27.63 per hour, about $57,470 a year. The middle half earn between $27.63 and $33.79 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Decatur a good place for respiratory therapists once cost of living is counted?

Decatur ranks 246th of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 265th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.

Where do respiratory therapists work in Decatur?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Decatur, led by Decatur Morgan Hospital - Decatur Campus. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Alabama license to work in Decatur as a respiratory therapist?

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Alabama requires for your role with the Alabama licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Decatur?

The federal per diem benchmark in Decatur is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Decatur?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Decatur and across Alabama. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Decatur.

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What do employers near Decatur pay respiratory therapists? Get the report.

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Pay report · RT near Decatur, AL
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your RT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Alabama list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • North Mississippi Health ServicesHamilton, AL · 2 postings$30.69/ hr$25–$37
  • CommonSpirit HealthSacramento, CA · 8 postings$56.70/ hr$47–$71
  • MultiCareTacoma, WA · 18 postings$54.16/ hr$29–$68
  • Fairview Health ServicesGrand Rapids, MN · 7 postings$53.34/ hr$36–$63

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Alabama list

2What they are offering now

Low$25Median$30.69High$39

3 RT postings with published pay in Alabama, 3 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 3 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Therapist - Full-time Night shiftPermanent
    $28.98–$39.00/ hour
    Select Medical · Birmingham, AL · posted 2 days ago
  2. REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPISTPermanent
    $24.55–$36.83/ hour
    North Mississippi Health Services · Hamilton, AL · posted 22 days ago

+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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