Respiratory Therapists Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $62,530 -22.3% vs national
Median hourly $30.06
10th percentile $52,090
90th percentile $77,480
Employed locally 430
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,090
    25th
    $53,980
    50th (median)
    $62,530
    75th
    $73,920
    90th
    $77,480

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 90% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 10% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Respiratory Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,080
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $134,880
    Vallejo, CA $132,520
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,320
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $129,640
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $129,180

    Nearby metros — Respiratory Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $78,140
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $73,050
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $63,760
    Clarksville, TN-KY $63,730
    Jackson, TN $63,080
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $61,230

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $73,320
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $51,040
    Nurse Practitioners $107,320
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $51,450
    Pharmacy Technicians $36,520
    Pharmacists $132,620

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Knoxville, TN is $30.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.05 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Knoxville, TN is 22.3% below the national median of $80,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Respiratory Therapists in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $52,090 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,980.