Respiratory Therapist salary in Kankakee, IL
Respiratory Therapists in the Kankakee, IL metro area earn a median of $84,490 a year ($40.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,450 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $84,090. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,170, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Kankakee, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| 25th percentile | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Median | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| 75th percentile | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,450 | $48.77 |
| Average (mean) | $84,170 | $40.47 |
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 | $7,040.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,520.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,249.62 |
| Weekly | $1,624.81 |
| Hourly | $40.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| 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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kankakee, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $400,280 | $192.44 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,320 | $61.69 |
| Pharmacist | $140,960 | $67.77 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Dentists, General | $137,390 | $66.06 |
| Occupational Therapist | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,450 | $22.81 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $75,620 | $36.35 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kankakee, IL
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 Kankakee, IL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Kankakee, IL metro area is $84,490 a year, or $40.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Kankakee, IL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Kankakee, IL metro area earn at least $101,450 a year. The top 25% earn $86,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Kankakee, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,270 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $80,700 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Kankakee, IL?
About 60 respiratory therapists are employed in the Kankakee, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.