Respiratory Therapists Salary in Tennessee
Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $72,140 —12.3% below the national median of $82,280. That ranks TN #46 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.17× as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $111,950 | $53.82 | 430 | 0.69 |
| 2 | New York | $107,810 | $51.83 | 7,010 | 0.81 |
| 3 | California | $104,820 | $50.40 | 18,650 | 1.14 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $102,170 | $49.12 | 2,220 | 0.68 |
| 5 | Washington | $101,130 | $48.62 | 1,860 | 0.58 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $100,810 | $48.47 | 3,350 | 0.87 |
| 7 | Oregon | $100,560 | $48.34 | 1,340 | 0.76 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $98,710 | $47.46 | 1,250 | 0.47 |
| 9 | Alaska | $97,950 | $47.09 | 180 | 0.62 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $95,940 | $46.13 | 360 | 0.59 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $81,500 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $41,920 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $117,590 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Tennessee is $72,140, or $34.68 per hour. That is 12.3% below the national median of $82,280.
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $57,860 per year ($27.82/hour). The 25th percentile is $63,660.
How many people work as respiratory therapists in Tennessee?
About 3,440 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for respiratory therapists?
Tennessee ranks #46 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.17x as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays respiratory therapists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $111,950 per year, followed by New York ($107,810) and California ($104,820).