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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Care Practitioner in Illinois is $75,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Respiratory Care Practitioner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Respiratory Care Practitioner Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $81,700 | $6,808 | $1,571 | $39 |
| Average | $75,400 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,300 | $5,608 | $1,294 | $32 |
Lurie Children's Hospital - Chicago, IL
SSM Health - Centralia, IL
SSM Health - Mount Vernon, IL
Prime HealthCare - Des Plaines, IL
A Respiratory Care Practitioner's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Respiratory Care Practitioner's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $72,716 |
| Intermediate Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $72,953 |
| Senior Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $75,798 |
| Specialist Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $78,439 |
| Expert Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $78,628 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Respiratory Care Practitioners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Respiratory Care Practitioner salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,978. While startup companies pay approximate $68,153.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $68,153 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $71,945 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $77,363 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $79,978 |
For Respiratory Care Practitioner roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Respiratory Care Practitioner positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Respiratory Care Practitioner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $90,480 | $44.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Respiratory Care Practitioner's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $81,700 | $6,808 | $1,571 | $39 |
| Average | $75,400 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,300 | $5,608 | $1,294 | $32 |
For a Respiratory Care Practitioner, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Respiratory Care Services Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $97,000 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Respiratory Care Practitioner job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Carle Health
Urbana, IL
Carle Health | Urbana, IL
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP). This position provides respiratory therapy care for patients throughout the hospital. We are seeking a compassionate a... more
10 Days Ago
SSM Health
Mount Vernon, IL
SSM Health | Mount Vernon, IL
SSM Health is seeking a dedicated Respiratory Care Practitioner to join our team of compassionate healthcare professionals. As a member of our system, you ... more
10 Days Ago
SSM Health
Centralia, IL
SSM Health | Centralia, IL
SSM Health is seeking a dedicated Respiratory Care Practitioner to join our team of compassionate healthcare professionals. As a member of our system, you ... more
11 Days Ago
SSM Health
Mt. Vernon, IL
SSM Health | Mt. Vernon, IL
It's more than a career, it's a calling. IL-SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon. Worker Type. Regular. Job Highlights. Join SSM Health's Resp... more
11 Days Ago
Prime Healthcare
Chicago, IL
Prime Healthcare | Chicago, IL
Respiratory Care Practitioner II. Sign-On Bonus Available for Qualified Candidates. Eligibility and payout terms apply. Details discussed during the interv... more
12 Days Ago
Carle Health
Urbana, IL
Carle Health | Urbana, IL
Carle Health, a pioneer in community-based healthcare, seeks a compassionate and skilled Respiratory Care Practitioner to join our dedicated team. This rol... more
13 Days Ago
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