Respiratory Therapist Schools and Salary TN

Become a Respiratory Therapist in Tennessee

If you wish to pursue a career as a respiratory therapist in Tennessee (TN) then it will please you to know that employment for the profession will grow by nearly 20% up between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To become respiratory therapist in Tennessee you will need to complete an accredited program and obtain your respiratory therapist license. Below we provide information on schools, licensing, certification requirements, and careers data.

Skip to:

• Respiratory Therapist Schools in Tennessee
• Tennessee Certification and Licensing Requirements
• Respiratory Therapist Salary in Tennessee
• Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook Tennessee

Top Respiratory Therapist Schools Tennessee

The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) are responsible for accrediting respiratory therapist schools in the USA.

Listed above are the top 7 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Tennessee.

Typically, in your studies to become a respiratory therapist. you can select between completing an associates degree (2 years) or a bachelors degree (4 years). An associates degree will get you started in your career whilst a bachelors degree will open up more career doors such as supervisory and management roles.

Learn more: Respiratory therapist program requirements

Tennessee Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Tennessee however certification provides an extra layer of assurance as to your skills and competencies and may create further career advancement opportunities.

Licensing is essential. Once you have graduated from an accredited program it is required by Tennessee law that you obtain a license to work as a respiratory therapist there. The Board Of Respiratory Care governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Tennessee.

You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 615-253-5087
Website: tn.gov/health/topic/rc-board

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Tennessee

The average respiratory therapist salary in Tennessee is $52,170 – 18% less than the national average.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2019).

This equates to an average hourly wage of $25.08.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Tennessee have grown by 5%, or $2,470, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

• The top 10% of earners in the profession in Tennessee had an average salary of $65,060
• The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $40,490
• Respiratory therapists working in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin earned the highest average salary in the state at $55,890
• Those working in Jackson have the lowest average salary level at $46,310.

The table below breaks down salaries across the main metro areas in the state.

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Tennessee

There are currently 3,500 people employed as respiratory therapists in Tennessee. This number has grown by 3%, or 110 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Tennessee are in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin.

The table below compares respiratory therapy salary and employment with similar healthcare careers in Tennessee;

Related Content
We hope this guide helps you get started on your path towards becoming a respiratory therapist in Tennessee. You might also be interested in the following related content:

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