IL · Peoria · Updated October 15, 2026

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Peoria, IL

The median respiratory therapist pay in the Peoria area is $35.81 per hour ($74,480 a year), with the typical range running from $33.75 to $38.88. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Peoria. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Peoria. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Peoria.

Open Respiratory Therapist roles in Peoria

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Respiratory Therapist pay in Peoria, IL

The metro median is 8% below the Illinois statewide median of $39.09 per hour. Nationally the median is $38.68 per hour. BLS counts about 240 respiratory therapists employed in the Peoria metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.64).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$25.76$53,58033% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$33.75$70,20013% below U.S. median
Median$35.81$74,4807% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$38.88$80,8701% above U.S. median
Top 10%$42.78$88,98011% above U.S. median

How Peoria ranks

  • 176th of 270 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 121st of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 6th of 6 Illinois metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Peoria

  • Overall prices in Peoria run 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 36% below the U.S. average (index 63.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $35.81 median hour buys what $39.25 buys at the national price level, 1% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Peoria paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,289
  • Per year: $64,458
  • Per month: $5,372

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Peoria metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Peoria

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel respiratory therapist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Hospitals in Peoria

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Peoria, 0 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of respiratory therapists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Carle Health Proctor Hospital
Peoria, IL
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Carle Health Methodist Hospital
Peoria, IL
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Saint Francis Medical Center
Peoria, IL
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Respiratory Therapist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Normal, IL36 mi$35.90/hr53,304
Bloomington, IL39 mi$35.90/hr79,232
Springfield, IL66 mi$36.52/hr112,949
Decatur, IL72 mi$39.09/hr68,763
Davenport, IA76 mi$32.58/hr100,938
Champaign, IL83 mi$36.77/hr91,961

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Illinois · Respiratory Therapist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Illinois

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Illinois requires for your role with the Illinois licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Illinois taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Illinois state guide

Other healthcare roles in Peoria

Peoria city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in Peoria, IL?

Respiratory Therapists in the Peoria metro area have a median pay of $35.81 per hour, about $74,480 a year. The middle half earn between $33.75 and $38.88 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Peoria a good place for respiratory therapists once cost of living is counted?

Peoria ranks 121st of 248 metro areas for respiratory therapist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 176th of 270 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring respiratory therapists in Peoria?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Peoria. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Peoria.

Do I need a Illinois license to work in Peoria as a respiratory therapist?

RRT or CRT credential from NBRC. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Illinois requires for your role with the Illinois licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Peoria?

The federal per diem benchmark in Peoria is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place respiratory therapists in Peoria?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Peoria and across Illinois. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Peoria.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · RT near Peoria, IL
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your RT pay reportPeoria, IL · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Advocate HealthIllinois · 2 postings$44.38/ hr$36–$53
  • Central Maine Healthcare CorporationChicago, IL · 7 postings$43.40/ hr$34–$53
  • Silver Cross HospitalNew Lenox, IL · 7 postings$42.84/ hr$38–$48
  • MercyIllinois · 7 postings$42.22/ hr$31–$63

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$31Median$40.72High$50

39 RT postings with published pay in Illinois, 25 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 39 RT roles

  1. Respiratory Therapist, RRT - Nights- Full TimePermanent
    $32.00–$47.55/ hour
    ScionHealth · Chicago, IL · posted today
  2. Respiratory Therapist RegisteredPermanent
    $29.30–$34.47/ hour
    OSF Healthcare System · Mendota, IL · posted today

+ 37 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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