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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Therapy Technician in Illinois is $75,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Respiratory Therapy Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Respiratory Therapy Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $81,990 | $6,833 | $1,577 | $39 |
| Average | $75,490 | $6,291 | $1,452 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,190 | $5,683 | $1,311 | $33 |
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center - Mattoon, IL
Genie Healthcare - Chicago, IL
Genie Healthcare - Rock Island, IL
Zack Group Healthcare Staffing - Chicago, IL
A Respiratory Therapy Technician'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 Therapy Technician'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 Therapy Technician | $73,110 |
| Intermediate Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $73,658 |
| Senior Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $74,425 |
| Specialist Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $75,712 |
| Expert Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $77,629 |
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 Therapy Technicians. 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 Therapy Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,074. While startup companies pay approximate $68,234.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $68,234 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $72,030 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $77,455 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $80,074 |
For Respiratory Therapy Technician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 16% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 8% above the average. Conversely, Respiratory Therapy Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Respiratory Therapy Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $81,529 | $39.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Respiratory Therapy Technician'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 | $81,990 | $6,833 | $1,577 | $39 |
| Average | $75,490 | $6,291 | $1,452 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,190 | $5,683 | $1,311 | $33 |
For a Respiratory Therapy Technician, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the HBO Technician role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $46,400 - a projected growth of -39% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Respiratory Therapy Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SkyBridge Resources
Peoria, IL
SkyBridge Resources | Peoria, IL
Emergency Room Peoria, IL. SkyBridge Healthcare is seeking a traveler for a 13 week contract in IL. SkyBridge Healthcare is a premier staffing firm dedicat... more
2 Days Ago
OSF HealthCare
Evergreen Park, IL
OSF HealthCare | Evergreen Park, IL
Respiratory Therapy Position. OSF HealthCare is dedicated to provide Mission Partners with a comprehensive and market-competitive total rewards package tha... more
4 Days Ago
PRN Healthcare Services
Chicago, IL
PRN Healthcare Services | Chicago, IL
Respiratory Therapy Technology (RT)Chicago, ILUpdated Feb 13, 2026 at 7:48PM UTCWeekly Rate:$1,990 - 2,079Shift:Nights, 12 hoursDuration:13 weeksThis job i... more
5 Days Ago
OSF HealthCare
Peoria, IL
OSF HealthCare | Peoria, IL
Total Rewards. Your life - our Mission. OSF HealthCare is dedicated to provide Mission Partners with a comprehensive and market-competitive total rewards p... more
5 Days Ago
Decatur Memorial Hospital
Springfield, IL
Decatur Memorial Hospital | Springfield, IL
Job Title. Respiratory Therapy Equipment Specialist. Salary Range. Min: USD $18.34/Hr. Max: USD $28.42/Hr. Overview. Possess expertise with respiratory the... more
3 Days Ago
Meraki Health
Flora, IL
Meraki Health | Flora, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Therapy Technician. Hiring for work in Jasper, Effingham, and Clay Counties. This is a unique opportunity to do cutting e... more
4 Days Ago
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