Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Albuquerque, NM
Respiratory therapists in Albuquerque earn a median of about $33 an hour, and UNM Hospital and Presbyterian both post ranges that reach past $42. The work centers on the state's only Level I trauma center and the city's ICUs and emergency departments. Here are the current openings, followed by who hires and how to get licensed.
Current respiratory therapist Openings in Albuquerque, NM
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Respiratory Therapist Work in Albuquerque
About 500 respiratory therapists work in the Albuquerque metro, according to federal wage data. UNM Hospital on the Health Sciences campus off Lomas Blvd draws the sickest patients from across New Mexico as the state's only Level I trauma center, and its pulmonary services team staffs every shift. Presbyterian staffs therapists in pulmonary services and at its 24/7 emergency and urgent care centers on Coors Blvd, Isleta Blvd and Menaul Blvd.
Beyond the big systems, Lovelace Medical Center Downtown, AMG Specialty Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in the southeast quadrant all hire respiratory therapists, and the VA has posted sleep study (polysomnography) roles. Night and weekend shifts carry sizable differentials at the hospitals.
Top Albuquerque Employers for Respiratory Therapists
These Albuquerque employers hire respiratory therapists for acute care, emergency and long-term acute care work:
- UNM Hospital - the academic medical center hires registered respiratory therapists on all shifts at $28.29 to $42.43 an hour, with night and weekend differentials of 15 to 26 percent.
- Presbyterian Healthcare Services - hires RRTs for pulmonary services and its PresNow 24/7 emergency and urgent care centers, posted at $27.92 to $42.63 an hour.
- Lovelace Medical Center - the Downtown acute care hospital hires respiratory therapists, including full-time nights with sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000.
- AMG Specialty Hospital - Albuquerque - the long-term acute care hospital hires respiratory therapists on full-time and PRN schedules, with weekend differentials.
- Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center - the New Mexico VA hires registered respiratory therapists, including polysomnography and supervisory roles, through USAJOBS.
Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Albuquerque
- Entry level: about $28 to $31 per hour for newly licensed RRTs.
- Experienced: roughly $32 to $37 per hour with critical care experience.
- Senior / lead: $38 to $43 per hour before differentials, with supervisory roles above that.
These are estimates drawn from posted ranges at UNM Hospital and Presbyterian and federal May 2025 wage data, which puts the Albuquerque median at about $33.11 an hour. Night and weekend differentials, ICU and neonatal experience, ACLS and PALS, and specialty credentials move pay, and sign-on bonuses are common at the hospitals.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Albuquerque
You need an associate degree from an accredited respiratory care program, the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care, and a respiratory care practitioner license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, which oversees respiratory care under 16.23 NMAC. New applicants need the RRT; the CRT alone only qualifies people licensed before 2018. Students and new graduates can work under an RLD student extern or graduate permit while they test. Central New Mexico Community College offers a CoARC-accredited associate degree in respiratory care with limited entry through its Coordinated Program Entry, and Pima Medical Institute also trains respiratory therapists at its campus on Cutler Ave NE near I-40.
What the Job Involves
Respiratory therapists assess breathing, set up and manage ventilators, give breathing treatments and oxygen, draw and analyze arterial blood gases, and respond to rapid responses, codes and trauma activations. They work closely with physicians and nurses in the ICU and emergency department, teach patients to use inhalers and home oxygen, and document every treatment.
Skills Employers Look For
- NBRC RRT credential and a New Mexico respiratory care license
- BLS, plus ACLS and PALS for critical care and emergency roles
- Ventilator management and weaning
- Arterial blood gas sampling and analysis
- Calm judgment during codes and trauma
- Clear charting and patient teaching
Career Path and Advancement
A typical Albuquerque path starts as a staff RRT on a hospital floor, then moves into ICU or emergency work at UNM Hospital or Presbyterian. From there the ladder leads to lead therapist, specialty roles in sleep medicine or pulmonary rehab, clinical education, and department supervisor, with the VA and the larger hospitals posting the top supervisory jobs.
Related Careers in Albuquerque
If respiratory therapy interests you, these related Albuquerque roles are close matches:
- Registered Nurse Jobs
- Radiologic Technologist Jobs
- Surgical Technologist Jobs
- Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do respiratory therapists need a license in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico requires a respiratory care practitioner license from the Regulation and Licensing Department. New applicants must hold the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist credential, and licenses renew by September 30 of each odd-numbered year.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Albuquerque?
Federal May 2025 data puts the Albuquerque median at about $33.11 an hour. UNM Hospital and Presbyterian post ranges of roughly $28 to $43 an hour, and night and weekend differentials add more.
Where can I study respiratory therapy in Albuquerque?
Central New Mexico Community College offers a CoARC-accredited associate degree in respiratory care with screened entry, and Pima Medical Institute trains respiratory therapists at its Albuquerque campus on Cutler Ave NE.
Can I work before I pass the RRT exam?
New Mexico offers a graduate permit for people who have finished an approved program, are employed by a supervising facility and have scheduled the NBRC exam. Students in an approved program can also hold a paid student extern permit.
What shifts do respiratory therapists work in Albuquerque?
Hospitals staff respiratory care around the clock, so day, night, weekend and holiday shifts are all common. UNM Hospital pays differentials of 15 to 26 percent for nights and weekends.
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