Respiratory Therapist salary in Illinois
Respiratory Therapists in Illinois earn a median of $39.09 per hour, about $81,310 a year, 1% above the U.S. median of $38.68. The middle half earn between $35.81 and $44.36 per hour. The highest median among Illinois metro areas is in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, at $39.86 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $39.09median pay per hour
- $81,310median pay per year
- 5,450employed in Illinois
- #18of 50 states by median pay
Respiratory Therapist pay in Illinois: percentiles
| Level | Illinois per hour | Illinois per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $30.50 | $63,440 | $29.76 |
| Lower quartile | $35.81 | $74,480 | $32.89 |
| Median | $39.09 | $81,310 | $38.68 |
| Upper quartile | $44.36 | $92,270 | $45.93 |
| Top 10% | $46.79 | $97,320 | $52.32 |
Respiratory Therapist pay by metro area in Illinois
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Illinois median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $39.86 | $82,900 | 4,040 | 2% above | $38.48 |
| Kankakee, IL | $39.37 | $81,890 | 60 | 1% above | — |
| Rockford, IL | $36.90 | $76,740 | 150 | 6% below | $40.04 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $36.77 | $76,470 | 150 | 6% below | $39.66 |
| Springfield, IL | $36.52 | $75,950 | 170 | 7% below | $39.38 |
| Bloomington, IL | $35.90 | $74,670 | 60 | 8% below | $38.38 |
| Peoria, IL | $35.81 | $74,480 | 240 | 8% below | $39.25 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Respiratory Therapist pay in states next to Illinois
What employers are posting in Illinois
- 39roles with published pay
- $40.72median pay per hour
- $31–$50typical published range
- 9employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Healthcare Corporation | 7 | $43.40 |
| Silver Cross Hospital | 7 | $42.84 |
| Mercy | 7 | $42.22 |
| Hospital Sisters Health System | 5 | $38.78 |
| Southern Illinois Healthcare | 5 | $36.72 |
| OSF Healthcare System | 3 | $34.27 |
| ScionHealth | 2 | $39.89 |
| Advocate Health | 2 | $44.38 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 39 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Illinois · Respiratory Therapist salary nationwide · Illinois state guide
Common questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Illinois?
The median is $39.09 per hour, about $81,310 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $30.50 and the top 10% earn over $46.79 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Illinois city pays respiratory therapists the most?
Among Illinois metro areas, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has the highest median at $39.86 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Illinois rank for respiratory therapist pay?
Illinois ranks 18th of 50 states by median respiratory therapist pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay respiratory therapists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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120+ Respiratory Therapist roles in Illinois, sent free by email
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Your RT pay reportIllinois · 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
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
- Respiratory Therapist, RRT - Nights- Full TimePermanent$32.00–$47.55/ hour
- Respiratory Therapist RegisteredPermanent$29.30–$34.47/ hour
+ 37 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.