Respiratory Therapy Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Birmingham, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Birmingham
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Birmingham, AL Overview
Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Birmingham is approximately $44,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,440/yr
Private Tuition
$36,380/yr
Room & Board
$10,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,275/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
68%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Birmingham
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Birmingham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380
Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Birmingham
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Birmingham
$313,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($396,000) minus total education cost ($82,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Birmingham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Birmingham for Respiratory Therapy
University of Alabama at Birmingham
public
$10,440/yr
$41,760 total
Samford University
private
$36,380/yr
$145,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Birmingham
Birmingham offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Birmingham Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Birmingham
Pharmacy
$44K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$60K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$44K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$44K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$44K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Birmingham — 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 Birmingham.