Respiratory Therapist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Respiratory Therapists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $78,700 a year ($37.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 9% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $72,140. There are 0.98 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| 25th percentile | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Median | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| 75th percentile | $83,660 | $40.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,040 | $46.66 |
| Average (mean) | $79,370 | $38.16 |
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 | $6,558.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,279.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,026.92 |
| Weekly | $1,513.46 |
| Hourly | $37.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,700 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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,350 | 370 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | $40.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | $66.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,640 | $142.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,630 | $48.38 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $211,370 | $101.62 |
| Veterinarian | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Anesthesiologist | $328,840 | $158.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $78,700 a year, or $37.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $97,040 a year. The top 25% earn $83,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,040 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $72,140 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 1,070 respiratory therapists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.