Respiratory Therapists Salary in Tennessee
Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee make a median of $65,000 a year, or about $31.25 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in Tennessee?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level respiratory therapists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Respiratory Therapists salary by metro in Tennessee
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $78K | +20% | 980 |
| Chattanooga | $73K | +12% | 300 |
| Memphis | $64K | -2% | 560 |
| Clarksville | $64K | -2% | 80 |
| Jackson | $63K | -3% | 100 |
| Knoxville | $63K | -4% | 430 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $61K | -6% | 160 |
Compare to other states
Track respiratory therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Tennessee?
The median is $65,000 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,840, and experienced respiratory therapists can clear $80,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,509/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 26.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a respiratory therapists salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median respiratory therapists salary is worth about $72,399 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do respiratory therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.