Respiratory Therapist in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Tennessee employs 3,440 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $72,140 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $72,140 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $57,860
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,640
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $88,060
- Employed in Tennessee
- 3,440
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Tennessee markets:
- Clarksville
- $79,150 (60 employed)
- Nashville
- $78,700 (1,070 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $74,350 (370 employed)
- Memphis
- $66,460 (670 employed)
- Knoxville
- $64,800 (460 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $72,140 median stretches to roughly $78,498 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +10.2%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 200 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT) — regulated by the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care.
- Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (associate or bachelor's degree, typically 2 years) covering ventilator management, airway management, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.
- Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam. The Tennessee Board requires either the CRT or RRT credential for licensure; the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) requires passing the Clinical Simulation Exam as well.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care for your state RT license. Renew every two years.
Official requirements: Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care →
Training in Tennessee
Volunteer State Community College and Nashville State offer CoARC-accredited programs. Vanderbilt, HCA Healthcare system, and Ascension are major employers. Tennessee's large adult and pediatric respiratory care needs — driven by its geography, tobacco use rates, and aging population — create consistent demand.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Austin Peay State University — Bachelor's
- Baptist Health Sciences University — Associate / Bachelor's
- Bethel University — Bachelor's
- Chattanooga State Community College — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Tennessee
Real Tennessee hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Methodist Hospitals of Memphis — Memphis
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville
- Baptist Memorial Hospital — Memphis
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center — Memphis
- Erlanger Health System — Chattanooga
- Jackson-Madison County General Hospital — Jackson
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want meaningful clinical work with a focused training path.
Think twice if: Emergency settings, hospitals, and vulnerable patients feel too stressful.
Why it's resilient: Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
First Steps
Compare accredited respiratory care programs and board exam requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Tennessee?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Tennessee is $72,140 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $57,860, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $88,060. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Tennessee?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT), overseen by the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care. Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (associate or bachelor's degree, typically 2 years) covering ventilator management, airway management, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Tennessee?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Tennessee metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Clarksville leads at $79,150, followed by Nashville ($78,700), Chattanooga ($74,350). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Respiratory Therapist in Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Austin Peay State University, Baptist Health Sciences University, Bethel University. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects respiratory therapists employment to change +10.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 200 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.