What is the starting salary for Respiratory Therapy graduates in Clarksville?

The estimated starting salary for Respiratory Therapy graduates in Clarksville, TN is $45,000 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 90. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Clarksville are 10% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Respiratory Therapy degree worth it in Clarksville?

A Respiratory Therapy degree in Clarksville has an estimated ROI payback period of 6.7 years, with a projected lifetime return of $314,984 after subtracting education costs. With 9 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $9,312/year, Clarksville offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 6.3% and the major's national unemployment rate of 1.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Respiratory Therapy in Clarksville?

The average annual public university tuition in Clarksville is $9,312, while private universities average $28,321/year. Including room and board ($13,192/year), total 4-year costs range from $90,016 at a public school to $166,052 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Clarksville is $12,661/year.

What jobs can Respiratory Therapy graduates get in Clarksville?

Respiratory Therapy graduates in Clarksville can pursue careers as Respiratory Therapist, Pulmonary Function Technologist, Critical Care RT. Key skills valued by local employers include Ventilator Management, Airway Management, Pulmonary Function Testing, Critical Care. The Clarksville job market features Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Hospitals, Home Health Agencies, Sleep Centers.

How long to pay off student loans for Respiratory Therapy in Clarksville?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Respiratory Therapy graduates in Clarksville would pay $1,022/month on an estimated $90,016 in loans, with $32,638 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,761/month but save $16,978 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $45,000, monthly payments would represent 27% of gross monthly income.

Respiratory Therapy Degree in Clarksville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026

Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Clarksville, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$45K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$61K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.7 yrs

in Clarksville

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Respiratory Therapy in Clarksville, TN Overview

Clarksville, Tennessee (pop. 166,722) has 9 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $838/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Clarksville is approximately $45,000.

Respiratory Therapy Salary in Clarksville (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Clarksville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$45,000($-5,000 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$61,200($-6,800 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$70,200($-7,800 vs national)

Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Clarksville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.

Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Clarksville

Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Clarksville tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $28,321

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Clarksville avg aid: $12,661/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$90,016

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,500

vs HS diploma in Clarksville

ROI Payback Period

6.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Clarksville

$314,984

Lifetime earnings premium ($405,000) minus total education cost ($90,016)

Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Clarksville

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$90,016

Monthly Payment$1,022

Total Interest$32,638

% of Monthly Income27%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$90,016

Monthly Payment$1,761

Total Interest$15,660

Interest Savings$16,978

Colleges in Clarksville for Respiratory Therapy

Austin Peay State University

public

$9,312/yr

$37,248 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Nashville State Community College Clarksville

$4,320/yr

Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Clarksville

Clarksville offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HospitalsHome Health AgenciesSleep CentersNeonatal UnitsLong-Term Care

Key Clarksville Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles

Respiratory TherapistPulmonary Function TechnologistCritical Care RT

Respiratory Therapy in Nearby Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN

$46K starting · COL 92

35 colleges

Memphis, TN

$47K starting · COL 93

22 colleges

Knoxville, TN

$43K starting · COL 85

5 colleges

Chattanooga, TN

$40K starting · COL 80

5 colleges

Murfreesboro, TN

$46K starting · COL 91

10 colleges

Franklin, TN

$59K starting · COL 118.5

4 colleges

Jackson, TN

$41K starting · COL 82.5

3 colleges

Johnson City, TN

$53K starting · COL 105

6 colleges

Other Healthcare Majors in Clarksville

Pharmacy

$45K starting · 3.5 yr ROI

Health Informatics

$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI

Nursing

$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI

Healthcare Administration

$45K starting · 4 yr ROI

Occupational Therapy

$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI

Dental Hygiene

$45K starting · 3 yr ROI

Speech-Language Pathology

$45K starting · 4.2 yr ROI

Public Health

$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Respiratory Therapy degree outcomes in Clarksville, TN: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Respiratory Therapy programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Tennessee.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Clarksville using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Respiratory Therapy graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Respiratory Therapy career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Respiratory Therapy grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Clarksville Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Tennessee students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Tennessee)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Tennessee programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "tennessee higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Respiratory Therapy Degree in Clarksville — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Respiratory Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Clarksville.

Respiratory Therapy Overview Colleges in Clarksville All Majors