Respiratory Therapist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Respiratory Therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $74,350 a year ($35.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,230 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $72,140. There are 1.4 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,610, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 25th percentile | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Median | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| 75th percentile | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| Average (mean) | $72,610 | $34.91 |
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 | $6,195.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,097.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,859.62 |
| Weekly | $1,429.81 |
| Hourly | $35.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rome, GA | $98,720 | 120 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $95,520 | 2,670 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,730 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $80,730 | 180 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,700 | 1,070 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,560 | 350 |
| Savannah, GA | $78,200 | 240 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $77,150 | 150 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $76,560 | 70 |
| Albany, GA | $76,540 | 70 |
| Valdosta, GA | $67,600 | 100 |
| 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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Veterinarian | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,200 | $140.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $74,350 a year, or $35.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $81,230 a year. The top 25% earn $74,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,480 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,660 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 370 respiratory therapists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.