Respiratory Therapists salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Middle 50%
- $81,080–$96,830
- vs U.S. median
- +6%
- Metro rank
- #28 of 139
Respiratory Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $87,060 a year, based on BLS estimates for 3,620 jobs (May 2025). That is 6% above the U.S. median of $82,280 and 4% above the IL statewide median of $84,090. It ranks #28 of 139 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE3,620 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
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Questions
What is the average Respiratory Therapists salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $87,060 a year (May 2025). Half of the 3,620 jobs pay between $81,080 and $96,830. The 10th percentile is $74,560 and the 90th is $100,100.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Respiratory Therapists?
That is 6% above the U.S. median of $82,280 and 4% above the IL statewide median of $84,090. It ranks #28 of 139 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Respiratory Therapists make an hour in Chicago?
About $41.86 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $87,060 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $38.98–$46.55 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.