Respiratory Therapists Salary in Nashville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $78,140 -2.9% vs national
Median hourly $37.57
10th percentile $63,300
90th percentile $96,610
Employed locally 980
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Nashville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,300
    25th
    $66,380
    50th (median)
    $78,140
    75th
    $80,800
    90th
    $96,610

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 95% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 5% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $73,050
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $63,760
    Clarksville, TN-KY $63,730
    Jackson, TN $63,080
    Knoxville, TN $62,530
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $61,230

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$81,170
    Nurse Practitioners$116,160
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$60,290
    Pharmacy Technicians$42,130
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$62,660
    Pharmacists$135,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Nashville?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Nashville, TN is $37.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.66 or more per hour.

    Is Nashville above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Nashville, TN is 2.9% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $63,300 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,380.