Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee
Thinking about a career as a Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee? Below are the key facts. Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
What do Respiratory Therapists Make in Tennessee?
The respiratory therapists working in Tennessee, the median annual wage is $65,000 per year (or roughly $31.25/hour).Earnings range from $51,840 at the 10th percentile to $80,940 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| 25th percentile | $61,410 | $29.53 |
| Median (50th) | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| 75th percentile | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| 90th percentile | $80,940 | $38.91 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Tennessee compared to the national average — is 1.06.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, respiratory therapists earn a median of $128,345 per year ($61.70/hour), lower than the Tennessee median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 3,445,190 respiratory therapists across the United States. In Tennessee alone, about 3,070 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,700 respiratory therapists.
Top Tennessee Metros for Respiratory Therapists
The metro areas below employ the most respiratory therapists in Tennessee.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | 980 | $78,140 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 560 | $63,760 |
| Knoxville, TN | 430 | $62,530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 300 | $73,050 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 160 | $61,230 |
| Jackson, TN | 100 | $63,080 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 80 | $63,730 |
Top States for Respiratory Therapists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most respiratory therapists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 18,310 |
| Texas | 11,860 |
| Florida | 8,840 |
| New York | 6,780 |
| Ohio | 6,460 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,850 |
| Illinois | 5,450 |
| Georgia | 5,030 |
| North Carolina | 4,440 |
| Michigan | 4,150 |
| Indiana | 3,330 |
| Missouri | 3,270 |
| New Jersey | 3,200 |
| Tennessee | 3,070 |
| Arizona | 3,070 |
| Virginia | 2,960 |
| Kentucky | 2,860 |
| Louisiana | 2,280 |
| Alabama | 2,250 |
| Massachusetts | 2,140 |
Highest-Paying States for Respiratory Therapists
These states pay the most for respiratory therapists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $104,240 |
| New York | $103,820 |
| California | $102,120 |
| New Jersey | $98,020 |
| Washington | $97,150 |
| Massachusetts | $96,940 |
| Oregon | $96,130 |
| Hawaii | $94,670 |
| Alaska | $94,210 |
| Minnesota | $88,040 |
Skills
Top respiratory therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for respiratory therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Respiratory Therapists typically:
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
- Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
- Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Allied Health Professions
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like respiratory therapists include:
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Physical Therapists
- Radiation Therapists
- Registered Nurses
- Acute Care Nurses
- Critical Care Nurses
Also Known As
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Hospital Respiratory Therapist, Inhalation Therapist, NICU Respiratory Therapist (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Respiratory Therapist), Oxygen Therapist, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), Respiratory Therapist (RT), Staff Respiratory Therapist, Staff Therapist, Travel Registered Respiratory Therapist (Travel RRT), Travel Respiratory Therapist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1126.00
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