Respiratory Therapist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Respiratory Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $87,060 a year ($41.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,100 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 4% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $84,090. There are 0.80 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,560 | $35.85 |
| 25th percentile | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Median | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| 75th percentile | $96,830 | $46.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,100 | $48.13 |
| Average (mean) | $88,400 | $42.50 |
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 | $7,255 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,627.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,348.46 |
| Weekly | $1,674.23 |
| Hourly | $41.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $84,490 | 60 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $82,990 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $81,720 | 1,230 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | 1,300 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $80,140 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $79,450 | 110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Evansville, IN | $78,990 | 170 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,340 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IN | $78,100 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,660 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,640 | 160 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,390 | 210 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | 840 |
| 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
| Chiropractor | $72,440 | $34.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $87,060 a year, or $41.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $100,100 a year. The top 25% earn $96,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,560 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $81,080 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,620 respiratory therapists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.