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Respiratory Therapy Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026

Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$46K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$63K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.4 yrs

in Montgomery

Cost of Living

92

index (100 = avg)

Respiratory Therapy in Montgomery, AL Overview

Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $46,000.

Category

Healthcare

Local Colleges

21

Public Tuition

$10,814/yr

Private Tuition

$29,622/yr

Room & Board

$11,372/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,044/yr

Unemployment

4.5%

Graduation Rate

46%

Respiratory Therapy Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,000($-4,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$62,560($-5,440 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$71,760($-6,240 vs national)

Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.

Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Montgomery

Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622

Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$88,744

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,800

vs HS diploma in Montgomery

ROI Payback Period

6.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Montgomery

$325,256

Lifetime earnings premium ($414,000) minus total education cost ($88,744)

Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Montgomery

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,008
Total Interest$32,176
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,736
Total Interest$15,439
Interest Savings$16,738

Colleges in Montgomery for Respiratory Therapy

Alabama State University

public

$11,068/yr

$44,272 total

Auburn University at Montgomery

public

$10,560/yr

$42,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Trenholm State Community College

$4,800/yr

Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Montgomery

Montgomery offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HospitalsHome Health AgenciesSleep CentersNeonatal UnitsLong-Term Care

Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles

Respiratory TherapistPulmonary Function TechnologistCritical Care RT

Respiratory Therapy Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.

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