Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Certified Respiratory Therapist jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand across hospital systems, long-term acute care, and home health settings at every level from new graduates through senior clinicians. Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring, where large employers like Northwestern Medicine, OSF HealthCare, and Rush University Medical Center maintain substantial respiratory therapy departments. The most in-demand specialties in Illinois include neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, sleep diagnostics, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Certified Respiratory Therapist jobs
Location: Resurrection Medical Center, Illinois
Shift: Full-Time Nights | 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Schedule: 36 Hours per Week | Rotating Weekends Required
Contract Length: Temporary 12 Weeks
✔ Interview within 24 - 48 hours | Fast Offer Process
✔ Work in a high-acuity, critical care environment and advanced respiratory cases
1. Current State Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required.
The company is dedicated to empowering its staff with a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, allowing them the freedom to customize their benefits to fit their unique needs. Our abundant resources, programs, and voluntary options serve as a foundation for individual growth and well-being. Learn more here: https://www.primehealthcare.com/benefitsthatmattermost/
Location: Resurrection Medical Center, Illinois
Shift: Full-Time Nights | 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Schedule: 36 Hours per Week | Rotating Weekends Required
Contract Length: Temporary 12 Weeks
✔ Interview within 24 - 48 hours | Fast Offer Process
✔ Work in a high-acuity, critical care environment and advanced respiratory cases
1. Current State Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required.
The company is dedicated to empowering its staff with a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, allowing them the freedom to customize their benefits to fit their unique needs. Our abundant resources, programs, and voluntary options serve as a foundation for individual growth and well-being. Learn more here: https://www.primehealthcare.com/benefitsthatmattermost/
See All 11 Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsCertified Respiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Certified Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in certified respiratory therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois respiratory care practitioner license issued by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
- Certified Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Associate or bachelor's degree from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care accredited program
- Current BLS certification, with ACLS preferred for critical care and ICU positions
- Clinical experience with mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, and pulmonary function testing
- Strong written communication skills for accurate patient documentation in electronic health records
Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a certified respiratory therapist in Illinois?
To work as a certified respiratory therapist in Illinois, you must hold an active license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Earning that license requires graduating from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care accredited program and passing the Certified Respiratory Therapist exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Most Illinois employers also expect current BLS certification before your start date.
How much do certified respiratory therapists make in Illinois?
Certified respiratory therapists in Illinois earn a median of about $84,090 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,480 for the lowest 10% to over $100,100 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire certified respiratory therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring certified respiratory therapists in Illinois right now include Ascension, Carle Health, and Elevate Care, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of large academic medical centers and regional health systems means openings appear across both major metros and smaller downstate communities throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most certified respiratory therapist jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Evanston have the most certified respiratory therapist openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the bulk of demand through its network of major academic medical centers and specialty hospitals, while Peoria and Springfield support steady volume through large regional systems like OSF HealthCare and HSHS Medical Group that serve surrounding rural communities.
Are there remote certified respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role that requires direct patient contact for most tasks, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of certified respiratory therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve telehealth coordination, sleep study interpretation, or patient education rather than bedside care.
How can I get hired as a certified respiratory therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a new-graduate or associate respiratory therapist role at a large Illinois health system that runs structured clinical residencies. Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and OSF HealthCare have historically offered new-grad programs and rotational tracks for candidates who hold a current Illinois license and Certified Respiratory Therapist credential but lack post-graduation experience. Candidates coming from adjacent roles such as respiratory therapy assistant or pulmonary function technician positions will find those backgrounds transfer well and help shorten the hiring timeline.
Where can I find and apply to certified respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to certified respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to each one without needing to go elsewhere.
See All 11 Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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