Respiratory Therapy Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Respiratory Therapy students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lowell is approximately $56,250.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,748/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,502/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
73%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Lowell tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
Lowell avg aid: $14,502/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$382,858
Lifetime earnings premium ($506,250) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for Respiratory Therapy
Lowell State University
public
$16,448/yr
$65,792 total
University of Lowell
public
$18,005/yr
$72,020 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lowell Community College
$6,184/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Lowell
Pharmacy
$56K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$77K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$56K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$56K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$56K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Lowell — 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 Lowell.