Illinois · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Illinois

Q: What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Illinois?

The median respiratory therapist salary in Illinois is $80,300 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $55,790; the top 10% earn $101,740 or more. About 5,268 people work in this role across the state.

Q: How does Illinois respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's median of $80,300 is $2,340 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $80,785.

Median $80,300 · Top 10% earn $101,740+ · Roughly 5,268 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median: $80,300; $38.61/hr
Top 10%: $101,740; 90th percentile
Bottom 10%: $55,790; Entry-level range
Real pay: $80,785; CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $80,300 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 5,268 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Illinois

Illinois RT pay is moderate, with Northwestern, Rush, and Loyola driving above-median pay in metro Chicago. Cook County Health offers union pay and pension.

Illinois ranks #18 of 50 states

Where Illinois sits in the national distribution for respiratory therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank	State	Median	vs. Illinois
#16	New Hampshire	$81,860	+$1,560
#15	Rhode Island	$81,860	+$1,560
#14	Colorado	$82,640	+$2,340
#18	Illinois (this page)	$80,300	—
#19	Delaware	$78,740	−$1,560
#20	Arizona	$77,180	−$3,120
#21	Maine	$77,180	−$3,120

See all 50 states →

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Education path for Illinois

The typical path is a associate degree + state license; bachelor's preferred for advancement, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $9,000 (community college) to $50,000 (private accelerated). On the Illinois median of $80,300, payback periods are typically 1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Respiratory Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Illinois selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Illinois?

The median respiratory therapist salary in Illinois is $80,300 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $55,790; the top 10% earn $101,740 or more. About 5,268 people work in this role across the state.

How does Illinois respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's median of $80,300 is $2,340 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $80,785.

Is respiratory therapist a good career in Illinois?

On the data: Illinois employs roughly 5,268 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $80,300 and the top decile clearing $101,740. The role is projected to grow +13% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.

What's the hourly rate for respiratory therapists in Illinois?

At the Illinois median of $80,300 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $38.61/hr. The top 10% earn around $48.91/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $26.82/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1126: Respiratory Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.