Respiratory Therapist salary in Rockford, IL
Respiratory Therapists in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $77,640 a year ($37.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,970 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 8% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $84,090. There are 1.2 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,680 | $30.14 |
| 25th percentile | $73,420 | $35.30 |
| Median | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| 75th percentile | $89,470 | $43.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Average (mean) | $79,090 | $38.02 |
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 | $6,470 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,235 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,986.15 |
| Weekly | $1,493.08 |
| Hourly | $37.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,640 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| Kankakee, IL | $84,490 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,340 | 140 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,660 | 210 |
| 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 Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,660 | $155.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Pharmacist | $134,190 | $64.52 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,720 | $61.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| Dentists, General | $214,670 | $103.21 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,620 | $46.45 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Chiropractor | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $168,210 | $80.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,800 | $61.44 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, 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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Rockford, IL metro area is $77,640 a year, or $37.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $98,970 a year. The top 25% earn $89,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,680 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $73,420 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Rockford, IL?
About 160 respiratory therapists are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.