Respiratory Therapy Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Respiratory Therapy degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Respiratory Therapy in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Respiratory Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/month. Respiratory Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ventilator Management and Airway Management skills. The adjusted starting salary in Murfreesboro is approximately $45,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Respiratory Therapy Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Respiratory Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Respiratory Therapy ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Respiratory Therapy degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$316,468
Lifetime earnings premium ($409,500) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Respiratory Therapy in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Respiratory Therapy
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Respiratory Therapy in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Respiratory Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Respiratory Therapy Job Titles
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
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 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 Murfreesboro
Pharmacy
$46K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$62K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$46K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$46K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$46K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Respiratory Therapy Degree in Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.