Respiratory Therapist Salary in Illinois (2026)
Illinois respiratory therapists earn a mean of $84,920/yr (BLS OEWS May 2025), 3% below the national mean of $87,300.
Mean: $84,920Median: $84,090Hourly: $40.83/hrEmployed: 4,880
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois Mean$84,920
National Mean$87,300
Percentile range in Illinois: $64,480 (10th) to $100,100 (90th).
Cost of Living Context
Illinois has a cost of living index of 99 (national baseline: 100). The COL-adjusted salary equivalent is approximately $85,800, representing the purchasing power of this salary in a hypothetical average-cost US market.
Illinois Metro Area Breakdown
BLS OEWS May 2025 mean annual wages by metropolitan statistical area.
#1Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
$88,400#2Springfield
$81,810#3Rockford
$79,090#4Peoria
$77,810Top RT Employers in Illinois
Northwestern Medicine
Rush University Medical Center
University of Chicago Medicine
Advocate Aurora Health
AMITA Health
Loyola University Medical Center
Illinois Licensure Requirements
- Licensing Board
- Illinois Department of Professional Regulation - Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Initial Fee
- $150 initial application
- CE Hours Required
- 40 hours per 2-year renewal
- Renewal Cycle
- Every 2 years
All Illinois applicants must hold an NBRC credential (CRT or RRT) and provide proof of completion of a CoARC-accredited programme. Background check required.
Frequently Asked Questions: Illinois
How much do entry-level RTs earn in Illinois?
New graduate RTs in the Chicago metro typically earn $62,000 to $72,000. Positions in downstate Illinois (Peoria, Springfield, Rockford) start $10,000 to $15,000 lower. Illinois has a near-national-average cost of living, so the $84,920 state mean translates to strong real purchasing power.
Which Illinois metro pays RTs the most?
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro leads at $88,400 mean annual (BLS OEWS May 2025), roughly 4% above the Illinois state mean. Northwestern Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Medicine are among the highest-paying RT employers in the Chicago area.
Does Illinois require the RRT credential?
Illinois requires RTs to be licensed by the Department of Professional Regulation. Licensure requires passing the NBRC TMC exam. Major Chicago hospital systems require the RRT for all clinical new hires. Illinois has relatively high CE requirements (40 hours per renewal) compared to most states.
Are Illinois RTs in a union?
Some Illinois hospital RTs, particularly at Cook County Health and certain academic medical centers in Chicago, are represented by SEIU or hospital-specific unions. Union density is lower than in California but higher than in most Midwest states, concentrated in Chicago teaching hospitals.