Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Illinois are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in hospital systems, critical care units, neonatal and pediatric facilities, and long-term acute care settings, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring volume, with major employers including Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare driving steady recruitment. The most in-demand specialties across Illinois are neonatal respiratory therapy, mechanical ventilation management, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Pay Range:
$32.58 - $48.87A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education.
Position Specifics
- Department: Respiratory
- Core Function; Rehab/Therapy/Sleep
- Schedule: PRN
- Facility: St. Joseph’s Hospital
- Location: Highland, IL
- Compensation that aligns with your experience
Education Qualifications
- Diploma or an Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is preferred.
Experience Qualifications
- 3 years of professional respiratory care experience is required.
Certifications, Licenses and Registrations
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is required.
- Licensed as Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of practice is required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) is required.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) are required based on patient population and assigned clinical areas.
- Specialty credential through NBRC is preferred (Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS), Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS), Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS), Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C), Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)). Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) through the BRPT may also be accepted as an alternative specialty credential.
Job Description
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
0Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day.
Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a healthcare system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments.
Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient.
Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits.
- Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need.
-
Retirement benefits including HSHS
contributions. - Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period.
- Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more!
- Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more!
Benefits
HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.
Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process
Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants.
Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions.
These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS.
Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org
See All 132+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist JobsRespiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Advocate Aurora Health18

- Endeavor Health8

- Elevate Care6

- Loyola Medicine5

- Memorial Health5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in respiratory therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by IDFPR required
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the NBRC strongly preferred or required
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory care from an accredited program required
- Current BLS certification required, with ACLS preferred for critical care settings
- Experience with mechanical ventilators, ABG interpretation, and airway management expected
- Strong communication skills for collaboration with physicians, nurses, and care teams
Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a respiratory therapist in Illinois?
You must hold an active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license, issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. To qualify, you need to complete an accredited respiratory care program at the associate or bachelor's level, then pass the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist exam. Most Illinois hospitals also expect or require the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. Applications are submitted through the IDFPR licensing portal.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Illinois?
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 respiratory therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring respiratory therapists in Illinois right now include Advocate Aurora Health, Endeavor Health, and Elevate Care, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems and academic medical centers generate the most consistent volume of openings, particularly for experienced and credentialed candidates.
Which Illinois cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?
Chicago, Maywood, and Oak Lawn are the cities with the most respiratory therapist openings in Illinois. Chicago leads because of its dense concentration of large academic medical centers, Level I trauma centers, and specialty hospitals, while Peoria and Springfield support strong hiring through anchor institutions like OSF HealthCare and HSHS Medical Group, which operate regional campuses drawing candidates from across central Illinois.
Are there remote respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role requiring direct patient contact, so the vast majority of positions are fully on-site. About 0% of respiratory therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those roles are typically limited to telehealth respiratory consultation, clinical education, or care coordination positions rather than direct bedside practice.
How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for new-graduate respiratory therapist roles at large Illinois health systems, many of which run structured residency or clinical onboarding programs for candidates fresh out of accredited programs. Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare have historically offered new-grad pathways. Candidates coming from roles such as respiratory therapy technician, pulmonary function technician, or patient care technician can make a competitive lateral move. Holding your CRT credential and an active IDFPR license before applying gives you a clear edge over candidates still pending licensure.
Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, and outpatient settings. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly from the listing.
See All 132+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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