verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$84,090/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$40.43/hr
▲ 2% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
4,880
public U.S. Median
$82,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$84,125 #33 of 51

Respiratory Therapist pay in Illinois, explained

Respiratory therapists in Illinois earn a median of $84,090 per year ($40.43 per hour), which is 2% above the national median of $82,280. Entry-level workers earn around $64,480, while the most experienced respiratory therapists reach about $100,100. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $84,090 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $84,090 is worth about $84,125 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #33 for real pay (vs #19 on the sticker number).

See the full Respiratory Therapist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Respiratory Therapist pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$64,480
$31.00/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$84,090
$40.43/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$100,100
$48.12/hr

Respiratory Therapist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $84,090 $84,125
Wisconsin $84,210 $89,495 −$120
Indiana $79,730 $85,429 +$4,360
Missouri $78,390 $86,316 +$5,700
Iowa $74,760 $85,185 +$9,330
Kentucky $72,750 $80,691 +$11,340

Respiratory Therapist in Illinois: FAQ

How much do respiratory therapists make in Illinois?

Respiratory therapists in Illinois earn a median of $84,090 per year ($40.43 per hour), compared with $82,280 nationally.

Does Illinois pay respiratory therapists well?

At $84,090, Illinois pays 2% above the national median for respiratory therapists. An estimated 4,880 work in the state.

Respiratory Therapist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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