Respiratory Therapist salary in Tennessee
What respiratory therapists earn in Tennessee and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$72,140$34.68 per hour
vs U.S.−12%U.S. median $82,280
Middle half earn$63,660 – $78,640Top 10%: $88,060+
Jobs3,4401.17× the U.S. concentration
Respiratory Therapist pay in Tennessee cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,700 | $37.84 | 1,070 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,460 | $31.95 | 670 |
| Knoxville, TN | $64,800 | $31.15 | 460 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | $35.74 | 370 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,740 | $30.16 | 170 |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $62,940 | $30.26 | 140 |
| Jackson, TN | $65,310 | $31.40 | 110 |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $64,950 | $31.23 | 110 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $64,200 | $30.86 | 90 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $72,560 | $34.89 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | $38.05 | 60 |
Hospitals and jobs in Tennessee
Respiratory Therapist pay in similar states
Louisiana · $75,240 Iowa · $74,760 Arkansas · $73,870 Kentucky · $72,750 New Mexico · $68,870 West Virginia · $68,670
Other healthcare salaries in Tennessee
Registered Nurses · $81,500 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $32,130 Nursing Assistants · $37,990 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $58,870 Medical Assistants · $39,570 Nurse Practitioners · $117,590 Pharmacy Technicians · $41,920 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $62,070 Pharmacists · $133,390 Dental Assistants · $46,720 Physicians, All Other · $301,290 Physical Therapists · $100,140
Questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Tennessee?
Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee earned a median of $72,140 a year ($34.68 an hour) in May 2025, 12% less than the national median of $82,280. The middle half earned $63,660 to $78,640.
Where in Tennessee do respiratory therapists earn the most?
Among areas in Tennessee, pay was highest in Clarksville, TN-KY at $79,150.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.