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 much 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 |
5,418 Medium |
& |
9.4% |
2.7% |
>>>> |
330 Moderate |
| Champaign Area |
129 Small |
& |
13.2% |
1.9% |
>>>> |
8 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
123 Small |
& |
3.3% |
-1.2% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Cook County |
2,525 Medium |
& |
8.6% |
3.0% |
>>>> |
151 Few |
| Decatur Area |
50 Small |
& |
6.0% |
0.1% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
187 Small |
& |
10.7% |
4.0% |
>>>> |
12 Very few |
| Du Page County |
409 Medium |
& |
10.5% |
3.7% |
>>>> |
25 Very few |
| Edwardsville Area |
84 Small |
& |
14.3% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
41 Small |
& |
2.4% |
-2.2% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
131 Medium |
& |
5.3% |
-0.1% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Lake County |
247 Medium |
& |
24.7% |
2.6% |
>>>> |
19 Very few |
| McHenry County |
70 Small |
& |
14.3% |
6.1% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
113 Small |
& |
5.3% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
107 Small |
& |
19.6% |
5.1% |
>>>> |
8 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
300 Medium |
& |
6.7% |
1.3% |
>>>> |
18 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
112 Small |
& |
2.7% |
-1.6% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
76 Small |
& |
10.5% |
1.8% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
192 Medium |
& |
7.8% |
2.4% |
>>>> |
12 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
62 Small |
& |
6.5% |
-0.3% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
152 Small |
& |
7.2% |
-0.8% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
120 Small |
& |
5.8% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Vermilion County |
42 Small |
& |
-2.4% |
-5.1% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| Will County |
134 Small |
& |
18.7% |
5.4% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| United States |
139,600 Medium |
& |
12.0% |
3.1% |
>>>> |
8,800 Few |