Respiratory Therapist salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Respiratory Therapists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $62,740 a year ($30.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,410 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 13% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $72,140. There are 1.4 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| 25th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 |
| Median | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| 75th percentile | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,410 | $45.39 |
| Average (mean) | $70,190 | $33.74 |
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 | $5,228.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,614.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,413.08 |
| Weekly | $1,206.54 |
| Hourly | $30.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,740 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $86,720 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $81,750 | 630 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $81,470 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,990 | 710 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Roanoke, VA | $78,820 | 190 |
| 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 |
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Pharmacist | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $352,590 | $169.52 |
| Physicians, All Other | $124,130 | $59.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $117,490 | $56.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,790 | $46.53 |
| Dentists, General | $173,810 | $83.56 |
| Veterinarian | $105,090 | $50.52 |
| Optometrist | $150,420 | $72.32 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,410 | $30.97 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $62,740 a year, or $30.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $94,410 a year. The top 25% earn $76,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,880 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $61,060 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 170 respiratory therapists are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.