Respiratory Therapist salary in Knoxville, TN
Respiratory Therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $64,800 a year ($31.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,050 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 10% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $72,140. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| 25th percentile | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Median | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| 75th percentile | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,050 | $37.05 |
| Average (mean) | $67,610 | $32.50 |
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 | $5,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,700 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,492.31 |
| Weekly | $1,246.15 |
| Hourly | $31.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,800 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| 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 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $64,800 a year, or $31.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $77,050 a year. The top 25% earn $75,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,300 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,280 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 460 respiratory therapists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.