Respiratory Therapists pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $88,060 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in Memphis earn between $65,040 and $78,640.
- $56K10th
- $65K25th
- $66KMedian
- $79K75th
- $88K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $71,510 | $5,959 | $34.38 |
| Median | $66,460 | $5,538 | $31.95 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,040 | $5,420 | $31.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,640 | $6,553 | $37.81 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in Memphis earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($72,300) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $71,510 | $66,460 | $56,430 | $88,060 | 670 |
| 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 Memphis
On the average salary of $71,510, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $59,137 a year, or $4,928 a month and $2,275 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $59,137 | $4,928 |
| Working in MS | $57,009 | $4,751 |
| Working in AR | $56,979 | $4,748 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $71,510 buys what about $77,577 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 4th of 7 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($79,370).
- Nashville$79,370
- Clarksville$76,110
- Chattanooga$72,610
- Memphis$71,510
- Kingsport$70,190
- Knoxville$67,610
- Jackson$64,300
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
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Respiratory Therapists salary in Memphis: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in Memphis?
$34.38 an hour on average, and $31.95 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,040, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in Memphis?
About $59,137 a year ($4,928 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $71,510. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.4%.
- 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 1.23, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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