Respiratory Therapist Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Respiratory Therapists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $68,870 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,209 take-home, or $4,601 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median respiratory therapist salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,321
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,270
- Medicare (1.45%)$999
- New Mexico income tax$2,071
- Take-home pay$55,209
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
Respiratory Therapist pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,160 | $29.88 | $50,370 | $4,197 |
| 25th percentile | $64,770 | $31.14 | $52,344 | $4,362 |
| Median (50th) | $68,870 | $33.11 | $55,209 | $4,601 |
| 75th percentile | $75,590 | $36.34 | $59,621 | $4,968 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,220 | $41.93 | $67,246 | $5,604 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $68,870 buys in Albuquerque, NM
Prices in Albuquerque, NM are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median respiratory therapist's $55,209 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,782 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Albuquerque, NM has 1.4× the national concentration of respiratory therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for respiratory therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #60 of 61 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $149,680 | $101,936 | $92,314 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $134,430 | $93,129 | $87,306 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $130,220 | $90,698 | $78,449 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $104,220 | $82,149 | $73,919 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $110,490 | $81,081 | $72,032 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $95,520 | $71,694 | $71,652 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $104,580 | $77,393 | $71,484 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $100,920 | $74,488 | $71,061 |
| 60 | Albuquerque, NM | $68,870 | $55,209 | $57,782 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 61 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median respiratory therapist salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $68,870 a year, or about $33.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,770 and $75,590.
What is a respiratory therapist’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $68,870 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $55,209 a year ($4,601 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,071 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a respiratory therapist?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $82,280. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,782 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #60 of 61 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a respiratory therapist afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Albuquerque, NM is $1,185 a month ($1,464 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median respiratory therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $147,000
- Dentists, General — $141,580
- Nurse Practitioner — $140,950
- Physical Therapist — $103,510
- Occupational Therapist — $99,170
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,160
- Registered Nurse — $96,040
- Dental Hygienist — $95,900
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $79,940
- Medical Records Specialist — $60,020
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $57,370