Have you ever wanted to know what the median respiratory therapist salary is? In this post I tell you. I also go over what people in this career do, the education needed and where you can find a good job. This page also compares the salaries of respiratory therapists in Tennessee vs. the U.S. average salaries, so you can see how you compare to other professionals in the state.
Introduction
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Respiratory therapist salary by state
22,87022,87095,54095,540
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $95,540 |
| Alaska | $78,760 |
| New York | $78,610 |
| District of Columbia | $77,810 |
| Washington | $77,730 |
| Hawaii | $77,600 |
| Massachusetts | $77,600 |
| New Jersey | $77,600 |
| Oregon | $76,920 |
| Nevada | $76,600 |
| Maryland | $75,000 |
| Minnesota | $75,000 |
| Connecticut | $74,980 |
| Delaware | $74,970 |
| New Hampshire | $74,660 |
| Wisconsin | $63,110 |
| Colorado | $62,220 |
| Rhode Island | $62,220 |
| Texas | $61,940 |
| Virginia | $61,940 |
| Utah | $61,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,620 |
| New Mexico | $61,530 |
| Wyoming | $61,370 |
| Montana | $61,280 |
| Ohio | $61,170 |
| Illinois | $61,160 |
| Michigan | $61,100 |
| Vermont | $60,950 |
| Arizona | $60,850 |
| Nebraska | $60,850 |
| Maine | $60,580 |
| North Dakota | $60,580 |
| Idaho | $60,570 |
| Florida | $60,530 |
| Indiana | $60,450 |
| South Carolina | $60,450 |
| North Carolina | $60,360 |
| Oklahoma | $60,120 |
| Georgia | $60,110 |
| Missouri | $60,040 |
| Kansas | $60,020 |
| Louisiana | $59,930 |
| Iowa | $59,640 |
| West Virginia | $59,110 |
| Arkansas | $58,980 |
| Tennessee | $58,760 |
| South Dakota | $56,960 |
| Kentucky | $52,800 |
| Alabama | $48,450 |
| Mississippi | $48,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,870 |
How much does a Respiratory Therapist earn?
Respiratory therapy is part of the booming healthcare industry, which, as of 2012, was responsible for 18 percent of the total U.S. gross national product, according to a Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce report. What’s more, the Center estimates that because of the increasing demand for healthcare services, the demand for healthcare workers is expected to grow twice as fast as for other industries.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, an average yearly salary for a respiratory therapist is as follows: Less than one year of work experience earns from $29,087 – $55,652 per year; one to four years receives from $24,850 – $59,507 per year; five to nine years receives from $35,802 – $70,472 per year; 10 to 19 years earns from $30,161 – $71,247 per year; 20+ years of experience receives from $44,557 – $71,011 per year. The highest paid in the respiratory therapist profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Santa Cruz, California, and Sacramento, California. The Vallejo, California area also pays well, as does the city of San Jose, California. Other well paying areas are Hawaii $66,890; Connecticut $73,670; Nevada $67,270; New Jersey $71,610; and New York, $69,730.
According to the BLS, an average hourly wage and yearly salary earned by the lowest 10th percentile of respiratory therapists is around $19.55 per hour, or $40,660 per year, whereas those in the 90th percentile received $35.77 per hour or $74,400 per year. Respiratory therapists’ employed in colleges, universities, and professional schools earned a higher annual salary ($67,060) when compared to those employed in rental consumer goods ($40,660).
If you want to make the most money as a respiratory therapist, Tennessee is the place to be.
While all states are in the same range of pay, Tennessee has the highest average salary for respiratory therapists at $54,000. The state offers a cost of living that’s lower than most other states, and it’s also known for its good schools and low crime rate.
The state’s largest city, Memphis, is home to several colleges and universities, including Rhodes College and University of Memphis. It’s also close to Nashville, which is full of music festivals and other events throughout the year.
Conclusion
The salary that a respiratory therapist earns in Tennessee can significantly impact the quality of life for their family. The cost of living and average house prices are lower in the state than in other parts of the country, but when considering this as a factor, individuals will have to assess if they could sustain themselves on a lower income. This article has outlined some of the things that respiratory therapists can expect to earn when working within Tennessee.
