Respiratory Therapists pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for respiratory therapists is $40.43 an hour ($84,090 a year). About 4,880 people work in this job there.
That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($82,280). Illinois ranks 19th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $31.00 | $64,480 |
| 25% of workers | $37.23 | $77,440 |
| Half of workers (median) | $40.43 | $84,090 |
| 75% of workers | $46.28 | $96,260 |
| 90% of workers | $48.13 | $100,100 |
Respiratory Therapists pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| Kankakee | $84,490 | 60 |
| Springfield | $78,340 | 140 |
| Peoria | $77,660 | 210 |
| Rockford | $77,640 | 160 |
| Bloomington | $75,490 | 70 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $74,660 | 120 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for respiratory therapists
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +8.5% over ten years, much faster than average · about 8,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $95,990 |
| Physical Therapists | $105,250 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $65,240 |
| Paramedics | $60,660 |
| Physician Assistants | $131,950 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $64,120 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $61,870 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $36,650 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.