Become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois
If you wish to pursue a career as a respiratory therapist in Illinois (IL) then it will please you to know that employment for the profession will grow by nearly 20% up between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To become respiratory therapist in Illinois you will need to complete an accredited program and obtain your respiratory therapist license. Below we provide information on schools, licensing, certification requirements, and careers data.
Skip to:
- Respiratory Therapist Schools in Illinois
- Illinois Certification and Licensing Requirements
- Respiratory Therapist Salary in Illinois
- Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook Illinois
Top Respiratory Therapist Schools Illinois
| School | Area | Degree | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Quincy | AS Degree | Learn More |
| College of DuPage | Ellyn | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Illinois Central College | Peoria | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Kankakee Community College | Kankake | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Malcolm X College | Chicago | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Parkland College | Champaign | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| St. Augustine College | Chicago | AAS Degree | Learn More |
The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) are responsible for accrediting respiratory therapist schools in the USA.
Listed above are the top 12 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Illinois.
Typically, in your studies to become a respiratory therapist. you can select between completing an associates degree (2 years) or a bachelors degree (4 years). An associates degree will get you started in your career whilst a bachelors degree will open up more career doors such as supervisory and management roles.
Learn more: Respiratory therapist program requirements
Illinois Respiratory License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Illinois however certification provides an extra layer of assurance as to your skills and competencies and may create further career advancement opportunities.
Licensing is essential. Once you have graduated from an accredited program it is required by Illinois law that you obtain a license to work as a respiratory therapist there. The Department Of Finance & Professional Regulation governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Illinois.
You can contact the Board directly using the details below:
Phone: 1(800)560-6420
Website: idfpr.com
Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Illinois
| Average Salary | $60,270 |
| Hourly Wage | $28.98 |
| Top 10% | $78,100 |
| Bottom 10% | $44,620 |
| Employed | 4,310 |
The average respiratory therapist salary in Illinois is $60,270 – 6% less than the national average.*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2019).
This equates to an average hourly wage of $28.98.
Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Illinois have grown by 11%, or $5,840, between 2015 and 2019.
Salary Range
- The top 10% of earners in the profession in Illinois had an average salary of $78,100
- The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $44,620
- Respiratory therapists working in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin earned the highest average salary in the state at $63,100
- Those working in Peoria have the lowest average salary level at $53,230.
| Metro Area | Salary | Employed | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $56,050 | 40 | $68,970 | $43,690 |
| Carbondale-Marion | $53,600 | 110 | $73,610 | $35,550 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $62,890 | 80 | $88,390 | $44,980 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $63,100 | 3,110 | $79,660 | $50,130 |
| Kankakee | $54,240 | 60 | $68,860 | $40,850 |
| Peoria | $53,230 | 260 | $63,390 | $41,320 |
| Rockford | $59,440 | 140 | $76,540 | $44,650 |
| Springfield | $54,960 | 180 | $72,170 | $40,310 |
Respiratory Therapist Employment in Illinois
There are currently 4,310 people employed as respiratory therapists in Illinois. This number has decreased by -13%, or -620 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.
The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Illinois are in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin.
The table below compares respiratory therapy salary and employment with similar healthcare careers in Illinois;
| Career | Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapist | $60,270 | 4,310 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,750 | 10,170 |
| Occupational Therapist | $84,700 | 5,790 |
| Speech & Language Therapist | $78,980 | 7,510 |
Related Content
We hope this guide helps you get started on your path towards becoming a respiratory therapist in Illinois. You might also be interested in the following related content:
- Online classes