Respiratory Therapist salary in Clarksville, TN-KY
Respiratory Therapists in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn a median of $79,150 a year ($38.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,230 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 10% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $72,140. There are 0.62 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $76,110, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Clarksville, TN-KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 25th percentile | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Median | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| 75th percentile | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| Average (mean) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
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 | $6,595.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,044.23 |
| Weekly | $1,522.12 |
| Hourly | $38.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,150 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | 1,300 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,040 | 430 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,700 | 1,070 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | 840 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | 370 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | 40 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $68,490 | 90 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,460 | 670 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | 270 |
| 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 Clarksville, TN-KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $115,160 | $55.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Pharmacist | $133,920 | $64.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,370 | $44.89 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,810 | $47.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Physicians, All Other | $264,060 | $126.95 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,710 | $58.51 |
| Veterinarian | $111,400 | $53.56 |
| Dentists, General | $163,980 | $78.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,920 | $33.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $215,380 | $103.55 |
| Optometrist | $132,200 | $63.56 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Clarksville, TN-KY
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 Clarksville, TN-KY?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area is $79,150 a year, or $38.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn at least $86,230 a year. The top 25% earn $86,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Clarksville, TN-KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,270 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,770 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Clarksville, TN-KY?
About 60 respiratory therapists are employed in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.