Respiratory Therapists pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for respiratory therapists is $41.86 an hour ($87,060 a year). About 3,620 people work in this job there.
That is 6% higher than the U.S. median ($82,280). It is 4% higher than the Illinois median ($84,090).
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $35.85 | $74,560 |
| 25% of workers | $38.98 | $81,080 |
| Half of workers (median) | $41.86 | $87,060 |
| 75% of workers | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| 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 (this page) | $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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $100,490 |
| Physical Therapists | $105,720 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $72,230 |
| Physician Assistants | $127,940 |
| Paramedics | $77,670 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $67,840 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $58,390 |
| Pharmacists | $140,880 |
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.