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Hire a Respiratory Therapist in Chicago, IL
Travel contracts are bidding for the same therapists you are. An RRT who runs the ICU alone belongs at this metro's upper quarter. In Chicago, the May 2025 median is about $87.1K, 4% over the Illinois median.
What to offer
A hospital that copies a national midpoint will lose therapists to travel contracts. Use this metro's median for someone new, and the 75th for someone who runs the ICU alone.
| Percentile | Metro | IL | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $81,080 | $77,440 | $74,520 |
| Median | $87,060 | $84,090 | $82,280 |
| 75th | $96,830 | $96,260 | $98,730 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How hard this is to fill
This is the same score as the free check.
For one manager
Say the unit, the shift, and the ventilator mix you need covered. Ask about the RRT credential and how much critical care time the person has.
License and training
Every state except Alaska licenses respiratory therapists. Most employers want the NBRC's CRT or RRT credential. Confirm your state board's rules before you hire or start.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, respiratory therapists
Nearby metros
- Michigan City, IN · 43 miles
- Kankakee, IL · 52 miles
- Kenosha, WI · 53 miles
- Racine, WI · 62 miles
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Job seekers: Respiratory Therapist jobs in Chicago.
Respiratory Therapists hiring pages
Questions
What do respiratory therapists earn in Chicago, IL?
In Chicago, the May 2025 median for respiratory therapists is about $87.1K, 6% over the U.S. median. The middle half runs from $81.1K to $96.8K.
Who hires respiratory therapists in Chicago?
Hospitals hire respiratory therapists in Chicago, along with home medical equipment companies. Organizations on file in the provider extract include Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Hines VA Hospital, Advocate Health and Hospitals.
Do I need a license to work as an RT in Illinois?
Almost every state licenses respiratory therapists. Check the Illinois board before you start in Chicago.
What should a hospital in Chicago weigh when hiring an RT?
Ask about the RRT and ICU experience. Chicago has slightly fewer of these workers than a typical metro. This metro is 4% over the Illinois median.