Occupation is in demand.
The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.
Employment
Major employers:
- Hospitals
- Doctors' offices
- Nursing care facilities
Outlook
Demand for respiratory therapists is expected to grow faster than average. Much of the demand for this career will be due to the aging population. Older adults suffer more from breathing and lung diseases than young people do. As the number of the elderly increase, the need for respiratory therapists will grow. In addition, other respiratory issues due to smoking or air pollution will contribute to the demand for respiratory therapists.
Job prospects will be best for those who are willing to move to locations where there are very few respiratory therapists.
Respiratory Therapists (CIS 100182)
| Location | Employment | & | Growth | >>>> | Annual openings | |
| This occupation |
All occupations |
|||||
| Illinois |
4,512 Medium |
& |
18.7% |
8.2% |
>>>> |
314 Moderate |
| Champaign Area |
117 Small |
& |
23.9% |
5.2% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
86 Small |
& |
15.1% |
2.9% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Cook County |
2,199 Medium |
& |
17.2% |
9.2% |
>>>> |
149 Few |
| Decatur Area |
52 Small |
& |
13.5% |
3.8% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
149 Small |
& |
16.8% |
10.3% |
>>>> |
10 Very few |
| Du Page County |
312 Small |
& |
38.8% |
8.8% |
>>>> |
29 Very few |
| Edwardsville Area |
66 Small |
& |
19.7% |
12.4% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
28 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
-0.2% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
107 Small |
& |
17.8% |
6.0% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Lake County |
192 Small |
& |
17.2% |
11.7% |
>>>> |
12 Very few |
| McHenry County |
55 Small |
& |
21.8% |
7.6% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
106 Small |
& |
23.6% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
88 Small |
& |
18.2% |
4.3% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
247 Medium |
& |
19.4% |
4.5% |
>>>> |
18 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
73 Small |
& |
20.5% |
3.5% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
60 Small |
& |
23.3% |
5.6% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
152 Small |
& |
17.1% |
6.6% |
>>>> |
11 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
46 Small |
& |
15.2% |
1.1% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
135 Small |
& |
11.9% |
4.6% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
103 Small |
& |
7.8% |
0.9% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Vermilion County |
34 Small |
& |
14.7% |
-0.5% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| Will County |
97 Small |
& |
19.6% |
14.9% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| United States |
133,100 Medium |
& |
12.5% |
2.8% |
>>>> |
8,600 Few |