Respiratory Therapist salary in Tennessee
Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee earn a median of $72,140 a year ($34.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,060 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $82,280. Tennessee ranks 46th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.0 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| 25th percentile | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Median | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| 75th percentile | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,060 | $42.34 |
| Average (mean) | $72,300 | $34.76 |
Half of respiratory therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,005.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,774.62 |
| Weekly | $1,387.31 |
| Hourly | $34.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,700 | 1,070 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | 370 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,460 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $65,310 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $64,800 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,740 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1126. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Tennessee?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Tennessee is $72,140 a year, or $34.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Tennessee earn at least $88,060 a year. The top 25% earn $78,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,860 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,660 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Tennessee?
About 3,440 respiratory therapists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.