Respiratory Therapist salary in Illinois
Respiratory Therapists in Illinois earn a median of $84,090 a year ($40.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,100 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $82,280. Illinois ranks 19th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.80 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| 25th percentile | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Median | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| 75th percentile | $96,260 | $46.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,100 | $48.13 |
| Average (mean) | $84,920 | $40.83 |
Half of respiratory therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,503.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,234.23 |
| Weekly | $1,617.12 |
| Hourly | $40.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| Kankakee, IL | $84,490 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,340 | 140 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,660 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,640 | 160 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,490 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,660 | 120 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1126. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Illinois?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Illinois is $84,090 a year, or $40.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Illinois earn at least $100,100 a year. The top 25% earn $96,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,480 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $77,440 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Illinois?
About 4,880 respiratory therapists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.