AR · Fayetteville · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Fayetteville, AR

Respiratory Therapists in the Fayetteville area earn a median of $35.34 per hour, about $73,500 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $30.74 and $41.11. That ranks 186th of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 140th of 248 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Fayetteville. The free report below lists employers near Fayetteville and what they pay.

Open Respiratory Therapist roles in Fayetteville

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Respiratory Therapist pay in Fayetteville, AR

The metro median is 8% above the Arkansas statewide median of $32.67 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 200 respiratory therapists employed in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.84).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$28.74$59,78026% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$30.74$63,94021% below U.S. median
Median$35.34$73,5009% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$41.11$85,5106% above U.S. median
Top 10%$41.70$86,7408% above U.S. median

How Fayetteville ranks

  • 186th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 140th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 4 Arkansas 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 Fayetteville

  • Overall prices in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers run 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.4, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 23% below the U.S. average (index 76.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $35.34 median hour buys what $38.69 buys at the national price level, in line with 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.

Estimate your Fayetteville paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,272
  • Per year: $63,612
  • Per month: $5,301

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

Travel assignment per diem in Fayetteville

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).

Hospitals in Fayetteville

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Fayetteville, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Fayetteville Ar Va Medical Center
Fayetteville, AR
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Washington Regional Medical Center
Fayetteville, AR
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Springwoods Behavioral Health Services
Fayetteville, AR
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Vista Health Fayetteville
Fayetteville, AR
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo

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
Springdale, AR8 mi$35.34/hr89,368
Rogers, AR17 mi$35.34/hr75,639
Fort Smith, AR51 mi$34.39/hr90,507
Joplin, MO72 mi$30.42/hr53,605
Broken Arrow, OK90 mi$37.12/hr122,756
Springfield, MO91 mi$32.82/hr170,596

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Arkansas · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

Respiratory Therapist salary in Arkansas

License and tax basics in Arkansas

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

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

Arkansas state guide

Other healthcare roles in Fayetteville

Fayetteville city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Fayetteville, AR?

Respiratory Therapists in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area have a median pay of $35.34 per hour, about $73,500 a year. The middle half earn between $30.74 and $41.11 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers ranks 140th of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 186th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring respiratory therapists in Fayetteville?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Fayetteville. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Fayetteville.

Do I need a Arkansas license to work in Fayetteville as a respiratory therapist?

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas 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 Fayetteville?

The federal per diem benchmark in Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?

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

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

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

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • CommonSpirit HealthHot Springs, AR · 2 postings$33.20/ hr$27–$40
  • 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 Arkansas list

2What they are offering now

Low$20Median$33.20High$47

3 RT postings with published pay in Arkansas, 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. Registered Respiratory TherapistPermanent
    $26.70–$39.71/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Hot Springs, AR · posted 13 days ago
  2. Registered Respiratory TherapistPermanent
    $26.70–$39.71/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Little Rock, AR · posted 17 days ago

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