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Respiratory Therapist Salary in Nashville, Tennessee

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$72,986/ year

Median Respiratory Therapist in Nashville, TN

$46,494
10th
$56,700
25th
$72,986
Median
$92,401
75th
$112,729
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$72,986
Total compensation (est.)
$83,934
Bonus range
$2,700 – $10,560
Mean salary
$77,365

How This Compares

Nashville, TN median
$72,986
Tennessee median
$70,900+2.9%
National median
$69,510+5.0%

Cost of living in Nashville is 5% above the national average. Salary of $72,986 here is equivalent to $69,510 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$52,550-28.0%
3-5 years
$66,417-9.0%
6-10 years
$81,744+12.0%
10+ years
$100,721+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$64,228-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$72,986
Enterprise (5,000+)
$86,123+18.0%

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Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Nearby Cities

Memphis, TN$56,303/yr
Knoxville, TN$69,510/yr
Chattanooga, TN$69,510/yr
Clarksville, TN$69,510/yr

Related Jobs in Nashville

Registered Nurse$85,281/yr
Nurse Practitioner$130,914/yr
Physician Assistant$132,311/yr
Physical Therapist$102,606/yr
Occupational Therapist$97,839/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$35/hr
Monthly gross$6,082/mo
25th percentile$56,700/yr
75th percentile$92,401/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Tennessee Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Respiratory Therapist Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Respiratory Therapist salary in Nashville?

The median Respiratory Therapist salary in Nashville is $72,986 per year, with a range from $56,700 at the 25th percentile to $92,401 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Respiratory Therapist pay in Nashville compare to the national average?

Respiratory Therapist salaries in Nashville are 5% above the national median of $69,510. After adjusting for Nashville's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $69,510 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Respiratory Therapist salaries in Nashville?

In Nashville, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Respiratory Therapist roles start around $46,494, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $112,729 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Nashville a good place for Respiratory Therapist jobs?

Nashville offers a Respiratory Therapist median of $72,986, which is 5% above the US median of $69,510. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Nashville is 5% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Respiratory Therapist salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Respiratory Therapist in Nashville is $92,401, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.