Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Romeoville, IL: $81,874 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Romeoville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,874 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Romeoville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,319 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($141,163) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting with a primary salary of $81,874, new graduates entering the field as air traffic controllers in Romeoville, Illinois, should approach their early career with realistic expectations. This entry-level pay represents a significant gap compared to the city's median annual salary of $141,163, indicating a clear growth trajectory as controllers gain experience. Over the first three to five years, it’s feasible to see progression up to around $102,508, positioning early-career professionals to aim towards the median salary as they establish themselves in their roles. Given these figures, Romeoville does present a viable market for newcomers keen on pursuing a career in aviation, particularly within a framework that offers structured salary growth.
About the Romeoville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Romeoville
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 Romeoville
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Romeoville, IL typically start between $81,874 and $102,508 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,531 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $141,163 — 7.06% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Illinois of $52,000 represents just 63.51% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($81,874/year) in Romeoville. 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 Romeoville
- 1Research the Romeoville market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $81,874 to $102,508, 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 Romeoville, 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 Romeoville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Romeoville'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 Romeoville is $117,531 ( 143.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,874, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,405.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,552
2025 BLS Actual
$79,823
2026 Current Est.
$81,874
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Romeoville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,552 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,553 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,823 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,874 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,979 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Romeoville, IL grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,552 in 2019 to $79,823 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,979. New graduates entering the Romeoville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Romeoville 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 Romeoville
Employers in Romeoville, primarily the FAA, actively recruit new graduates for air traffic control positions through several pathways, including public bid windows for "off-the-street" hiring. These opportunities are particularly accessible to candidates under the age of 31, unless they are military veterans, who may have pathways that allow for reduced training requirements. New entrants must navigate the competitive selection processes grounded in credentials such as citizenship, educational background, and aptitude test performance. Completing the FAA Academy's rigorous training and obtaining facility-specific qualifications is essential for climbing the pay scale, with many controllers on the FG scale earning significantly more at peak facilities. As controllers face mandatory retirement at age 56, the industry emphasizes ongoing education and adaptability, which can magnify salary prospects beyond initial entry-level pay, with a potential to realize earnings in excess of six figures in a relatively short time frame.
More salary data for Romeoville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Romeoville in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Romeoville?
Is aviation school worth it in Romeoville?
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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 Romeoville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Romeoville 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