How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois employs about 4,880 respiratory therapists earning a median $84,090 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Respiratory Therapist here means completing a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure, then applying through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Illinois employs approximately 4,880 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $84,090 1. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois credentials this role through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation 3. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Illinois is $84,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $64,480 and experienced professionals can earn $100,100 or more 1.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Illinois

  1. Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Illinois typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites. Confirm current rules with the program.
  2. Complete a CoARC-accredited program. Enroll in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program in Illinois, usually an associate degree. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Pass the NBRC RRT exams. Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice exam and Clinical Simulation Exam for the RRT credential. CRT-only practice is limited; confirm with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
  4. Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before you practice. Confirm any jurisprudence or ethics exam with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Respiratory Therapist License Requirements in Illinois

Respiratory therapists in Illinois complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for an RCP or equivalent license. See Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet program entry rules.

  2. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

  3. Pass the NBRC RRT exams.

  4. Apply to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), respiratory therapists wages in Illinois vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin3,620$87,060$88,400$74,560$100,100
St. Louis1,260$79,210$78,300$62,230$95,730
Peoria210$77,660$77,810$64,370$91,480
Rockford160$77,640$79,090$62,680$98,970
Springfield140$78,340$81,810$64,480$104,040
Champaign-Urbana120$74,660$80,720$62,170$100,810
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island100$75,460$71,760$62,510$81,220
Cape Girardeau90$66,910$70,820$58,590$83,030
Paducah80$76,100$73,050$57,650$93,150
Bloomington70$75,490$79,850$61,310$107,330
Kankakee60$84,490$84,170$67,270$101,450

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 4,880 respiratory therapists 1. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a respiratory therapist in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Illinois is $84,090, which is $3,640 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data 1.

In Illinois

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.idfpr.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)