GA · Augusta · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Augusta, GA

Respiratory Therapists in the Augusta area earn a median of $35.80 per hour, about $74,460 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $32.14 and $37.94. That ranks 177th of 270 U.S. metro areas for respiratory therapist pay, and 131st of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 5 hospitals in Augusta. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Augusta.

More open Respiratory Therapist roles in Augusta

3 more open roles from employers in Augusta. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Respiratory Therapist pay in Augusta, GA

The metro median is 9% below the Georgia statewide median of $39.37 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 310 respiratory therapists employed in the Augusta-Richmond County metro area, 1.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.55).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$30.36$63,15022% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$32.14$66,85017% below U.S. median
Median$35.80$74,4607% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$37.94$78,9202% below U.S. median
Top 10%$43.96$91,44014% above U.S. median

How Augusta ranks

  • 177th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 131st of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 7th of 11 Georgia 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.

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What your pay buys in Augusta

  • Overall prices in Augusta-Richmond County run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 29% below the U.S. average (index 70.6).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $35.80 median hour buys what $38.95 buys at the national price level, 1% above 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 Augusta paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,289
  • Per year: $64,440
  • Per month: $5,370

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

Travel assignment per diem in Augusta

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$122
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,372
13-week assignment$17,836

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. 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 Georgia

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

All Respiratory Therapist jobs in Georgia

Hospitals in Augusta

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

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Augusta Va Medical Center
Augusta, GA
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
Doctors Hospital
Augusta, GA
Acute careFor-profit3 of 5Yes
Piedmont Augusta Hospital
Augusta, GA
Acute careGovernment and federal2 of 5Yes
Wellstar Mcg Health, Affiliated With Med Col
Augusta, GA
Acute careNonprofit1 of 5Yes
East Central Regional Hospital
Augusta, GA
PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot 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
Columbia, SC82 mi$37.61/hr144,788
Athens, GA85 mi$37.88/hr128,691
Macon, GA101 mi$37.22/hr157,056
Greenville, SC103 mi$36.12/hr74,371
Warner Robins, GA106 mi$32.91/hr86,199
Savannah, GA106 mi$36.73/hr148,808

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Georgia · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Georgia

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

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

Georgia state guide

Other healthcare roles in Augusta

Augusta city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Augusta, GA?

Respiratory Therapists in the Augusta-Richmond County metro area have a median pay of $35.80 per hour, about $74,460 a year. The middle half earn between $32.14 and $37.94 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Augusta-Richmond County ranks 131st of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 177th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Where do respiratory therapists work in Augusta?

CMS lists 5 hospitals in Augusta, led by Augusta Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Georgia license to work in Augusta as a respiratory therapist?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Augusta is $122 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,372 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Augusta?

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

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

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  1. 1
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Pay report · RT near Augusta, GA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

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

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Emory Healthcare, Inc.Johns Creek, GA · 1 wage offer$45.54/ hr$46–$46
  • Emory Healthcare, Inc.Decatur, GA · 1 wage offer$36.00/ hr$36–$36
  • CommonSpirit HealthSACRAMENTO, CA · 8 postings$56.70/ hr$47–$71
  • MultiCareTacoma, WA · 18 postings$54.16/ hr$29–$68

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Georgia list

2What they are offering now

Low$29Median$41.44High$58

396 RT postings with published pay in the US, 319 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 1 RT roles

  1. Registered Respiratory TherapistPermanent
    $27.97–$41.60/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Ringgold, GA · posted 8 days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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