Respiratory Therapy Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $51,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$374,176
Lifetime earnings premium ($463,500) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Respiratory Therapy
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Athens
Pharmacy
$52K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$52K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$52K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$52K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Athens — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Respiratory Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.