Respiratory Therapist in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Illinois employs 4,880 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $84,090 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Illinois (May 2025)
- Illinois median pay
- $84,090 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $64,480
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $96,260
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $100,100
- Employed in Illinois
- 4,880
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Illinois markets:
- Chicago metro
- $87,060 (3,620 employed)
- Springfield
- $78,340 (140 employed)
- Peoria
- $77,660 (210 employed)
- Rockford
- $77,640 (160 employed)
- Bloomington
- $75,490 (70 employed)
- Champaign–Urbana
- $74,660 (120 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois
Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $84,090 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)
Illinois is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +21.4%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 400 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Illinois License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner license — regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
- Pass the NBRC examination (CRT minimum; RRT preferred by the big systems).
- Apply through IDFPR.
Official requirements: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) →
Training in Illinois
Chicago's academic medical centers and the large downstate systems (OSF, Memorial, Carle) hire steadily. Community college CoARC programs across the state keep tuition manageable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:
- Aurora University — Bachelor's
- Benedictine University — Bachelor's
- Black Hawk College — Associate
- Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences — Associate / Bachelor's
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Illinois
Real Illinois hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- VA Hosp — Downey
- Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital — Hines
- VA Illiana Health Care System — Danville
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center — Chicago
- US Naval Hosp — Great Lakes
- John H Stroger Jr Hospital — Chicago
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want meaningful clinical work with a focused training path.
Think twice if: Emergency settings, hospitals, and vulnerable patients feel too stressful.
Why it's resilient: Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
First Steps
Compare accredited respiratory care programs and board exam requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Illinois?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Illinois is $84,090 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $64,480, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,100. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois?
Respiratory Care Practitioner license, overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Illinois?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Illinois metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Illinois metro areas, Chicago metro leads at $87,060, followed by Springfield ($78,340), Peoria ($77,660). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois?
Real Illinois options include Aurora University, Benedictine University, Black Hawk College. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Illinois?
Illinois projects respiratory therapists employment to change +21.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 400 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Illinois wages · Illinois licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.