Illinois Respiratory Therapy Salary

Illinois respiratory therapists make on average $67,000 annually, with some earning over $80,000. Therapists in this state actually make almost 5% more than others with the same title and education across the nation. However, some therapists may make less or more than the statistics indicate. The Illinois respiratory therapist salary will depend on several different factors, including but not limited to where the therapist works, experience and education for example.

Education and Earnings

Although the minimum requirement to become a certified and licensed respiratory therapist in Illinois is only two years, the person's level of education can play a significant role in how much they earn. Statistics indicate that the highest paid respiratory therapists hold a bachelor's degree, with few exceptions. This is due to variety of reasons, such as the fact that those in management or research positions are among some of the most highly paid and these specific careers often require a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in respiratory therapy.

Job Title

There are several different job titles for respiratory therapists that are often related to the department they work in or if they specialize within a specific area. Titles of director, manager or those with additional certifications can earn larger salaries. Two of the most common titles within facilities include the CRT, which is the certified respiratory therapist which indicates an entry-level therapist and the advanced CRT which implies that the person has had specialized or advanced training that is not provided in the basic associate degree program.

Level of Experience

Experience in the workforce can also play a vital role in the differences among salaries of respiratory therapists in Illinois. Those who have more experience or advanced skills within a certain area are often able to negotiate higher wages, regardless of the degree that they may hold. This is because more employers may be seeking therapists that possess knowledge in specific areas with increased level of skill.

Location of Employment

The demographics of it all can affect the salary of respiratory therapists. Those that work within certain locations throughout Illinois may be subject to greater pay. This may be especially so if employed in an underserved community. Some of the biggest pay discrepancies in this field is actually related to what area the person chooses to work in with the largest salaries offered in rural areas and the larger cities.

Employers

Ultimately, the salary of any respiratory therapist in Illinois or in any other state for that matter will depend on the individual employer. Some employers simply pay more than others due to an increased demand and need within that particular health care sector, such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities for example. However, accepting or declining an employment offer based on offered wages alone is not recommended. Employers that may pay slightly less may often make up for this in terms of benefits such as offering more affordable health insurance or generous bonuses and such and this still remains one of the highest paying health care jobs in Illinois.