Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Peoria, IL: $85,755 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Peoria, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,755 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Peoria's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,316 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($147,854) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Peoria, Illinois offers a promising outlook for new graduates entering the air traffic control field, as the starting air traffic controller salary in Peoria is projected at $85,755 for 2026. While this figure is below the city median income of $147,854, it represents a solid entry point into a profession known for its upward mobility. Over the first few years, new controllers can expect a growth trajectory that takes them from the P10 mark of $85,755 to around $106,454 at the 25th percentile, and potentially approaching the median salary within three to five years. Currently, with a growth rate of 2.57% expected, Peoria remains a viable market for new graduates looking to establish their careers in this critical industry.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Peoria
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Peoria, IL typically start between $85,755 and $106,454 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $140,744 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $147,854 — 2.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Illinois of $52,000 represents just 60.64% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($85,755/year) in Peoria. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Peoria
- 1Research the Peoria market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $85,755 to $106,454, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Peoria, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Peoria for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Peoria's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Peoria is $140,744 ( 164.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,755, experienced hygienists can earn up to $226,499.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,849
2025 BLS Actual
$83,606
2026 Current Est.
$85,755
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,849 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,572 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,634 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,229 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,606 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,755 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,959 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Peoria, IL grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,849 in 2019 to $83,606 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,959. New graduates entering the Peoria job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your aviation Career in Peoria
To secure entry-level positions, it's essential for aspiring air traffic controllers to understand the hiring landscape in Peoria. The FAA typically recruits new employees through public bid windows, available to those under age 31, unless they are military veterans. Graduates of the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program also have a competitive advantage. Potential controllers should focus on meeting the necessary credentials, including U.S. citizenship, educational requirements, and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). Following acceptance, individuals will undergo training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, leading up to facility-specific training. Additionally, understanding the distinctions within the pay scale for controllers is crucial; while starting positions fall under the FG pay scale, opportunities for significant earnings exist in top-tier en route facilities. Realistic salary enhancements in the first three years can be anticipated through overtime, promotion to Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, and continuous professional development, which will be invaluable as the demand for skilled controllers continues to rise in the Peoria area.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Peoria. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Peoria is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov