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What does a Respiratory Therapists salary really buy you in Tennessee?
Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Respiratory Therapists earning $72,140 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $78,583 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $57,860 | $63,028 | +$5,168 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $63,660 | $69,346 | +$5,686 |
| Median (P50) | $72,140 | $78,583 | +$6,443 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $78,640 | $85,664 | +$7,024 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $88,060 | $95,925 | +$7,865 |
A Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee earns $72,140 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $78,583 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.
Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Respiratory Therapists, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $72,140 median salary translates to $78,584 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Respiratory Therapists.
Tennessee ranks #46 of 51 — bottom quartile for Respiratory Therapists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Respiratory Therapists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Tennessee ranks #46 out of 51 states for Respiratory Therapists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Respiratory Therapists take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →
A Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee earns a median salary of $72,140 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $78,583 — a +8.9% difference.
Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee: $72,140 x (100 / 91.8) = $78,583. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Respiratory Therapists in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
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