State comparison · 2025
Respiratory Therapists salary: California vs Tennessee
Respiratory Therapists in California earn a median of $104,820. In Tennessee, $72,140. After cost-of-living, the gap is 20.6% — not 45.3%.
Nominal pay gap
+45.3%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+20.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Respiratory Therapists
- Median
- $104,820
- p25
- $87,750
- p75
- $129,010
- p10
- $77,010
- p90
- $145,510
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
Tennessee
Respiratory Therapists
- Median
- $72,140
- p25
- $63,660
- p75
- $78,640
- p10
- $57,860
- p90
- $88,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 91.9
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.