Respiratory Therapists pay range in Chattanooga
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,480 a year or less, while the top 10% make $81,230 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in Chattanooga earn between $63,660 and $74,890.
- $63K10th
- $64K25th
- $74KMedian
- $75K75th
- $81K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $72,610 | $6,051 | $34.91 |
| Median | $74,350 | $6,196 | $35.75 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $63,660 | $5,305 | $30.61 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $74,890 | $6,241 | $36.00 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in Chattanooga vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in Chattanooga earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($72,300) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $72,610 | $74,350 | $63,480 | $81,230 | 370 |
| Tennessee | $72,300 | $72,140 | $57,860 | $88,060 | 3,440 |
| United States | $87,300 | $82,280 | $63,660 | $118,050 | 139,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Respiratory Therapists salary after taxes in Chattanooga
On the average salary of $72,610, a single filer in Chattanooga takes home about $59,911 a year, or $4,993 a month and $2,304 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $59,911 | $4,993 |
| Working in GA | $57,036 | $4,753 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Chattanooga a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chattanooga area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $72,610 buys what about $79,386 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Chattanooga ($46,700). A typical home costs $326,370, or 4.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other Tennessee cities
Chattanooga ranks 3rd of 7 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($79,370).
Highest-paying cities for respiratory therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($146,490).
- San Jose, CA$146,490
- Santa Cruz, CA$133,510
- Vallejo, CA$133,510
- San Francisco, CA$128,490
- Sacramento, CA$124,410
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Respiratory Therapists salary in Chattanooga: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in Chattanooga?
$34.91 an hour on average, and $35.74 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,480 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,660, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in Chattanooga?
About $59,911 a year ($4,993 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $72,610. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in Chattanooga than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($87,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1126; area Chattanooga, TN-GA (16860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.53, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.