Respiratory Therapists Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $63,760 -20.7% vs national
Median hourly $30.66
10th percentile $52,630
90th percentile $78,490
Employed locally 560
National median $80,450

Compare Respiratory Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Respiratory Therapists
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Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,630
    25th
    $62,980
    50th (median)
    $63,760
    75th
    $75,110
    90th
    $78,490

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 98% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 2% 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
    Clarksville, TN-KY $63,730
    Jackson, TN $63,080
    Knoxville, TN $62,530
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $61,230

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $79,250
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $55,010
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,370
    Nurse Practitioners $116,860
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $62,370
    Pharmacists $134,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Memphis?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $30.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.34 or more per hour.

    Is Memphis above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 20.7% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $52,630 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,980.