Respiratory Therapist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Respiratory Therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $66,460 a year ($31.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,060 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 8% 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 $71,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| 25th percentile | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Median | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| 75th percentile | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,060 | $42.34 |
| Average (mean) | $71,510 | $34.38 |
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 | $5,538.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,769.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,556.15 |
| Weekly | $1,278.08 |
| Hourly | $31.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,460 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 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $78,880 | 110 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,700 | 1,070 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $78,080 | 100 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $77,720 | 220 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $75,300 | 530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | 370 |
| Jackson, MS | $67,500 | 510 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $66,660 | 190 |
| Jackson, TN | $65,310 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $64,800 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,740 | 170 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $60,170 | 120 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,310 | $34.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $66,460 a year, or $31.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $88,060 a year. The top 25% earn $78,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,430 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $65,040 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 670 respiratory therapists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.