Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Belleville, IL: $67.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Belleville, IL runs $67.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,671 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Belleville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,408 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belleville, Illinois, the median hourly pay for air traffic controllers is projected to be $67.63 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02. This figure provides valuable insight for both part-time and per-diem workers operating in varied environments such as en route centers, terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, and airport control towers. Typically, those in entry-level positions can expect to earn around $39.22 per hour, while experienced controllers, specifically those at the top of their field, may see rates as high as $94.92. When considering the demanding responsibilities of maintaining safe air traffic, these hourly rates reflect a compensation structure derived from overall annual salaries—significantly impacting the quality of work-life balance and job flexibility for air traffic controllers in Belleville.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.22 | $313.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.82 | $390.59 |
| Median (P50) | $67.63 | $541.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.85 | $686.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.92 | $759.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belleville
Based on $67.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.63/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belleville, IL can expect to earn approximately $140,680 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,162. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belleville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belleville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,705.39 | $11,723 | $140,680 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,623.23 | $7,034 | $84,408 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,082.15 | $4,689 | $56,272 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Belleville) | $67.63 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Belleville, IL earn a median of $140,671 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $147,454.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.63/hr = $84,408/year (purchasing power: $86,929).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,680/year (purchasing power: $144,882).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Belleville grew 20.4% from $54.77/hr (2019) to $65.94/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Belleville
Examining the part-time earning potential for air traffic controllers in Belleville reveals a stark contrast between part-time and full-time employment. A controller working three days a week would earn approximately $52,000 annually, which may suit those looking to balance other commitments. Conversely, full-time positions, particularly in facilities experiencing staffing shortages, often lead to substantial overtime opportunities. Controllers in such settings may work 50-60 hours a week, potentially increasing their effective hourly compensation significantly due to overtime rates, which can elevate total pay by $50,000 to over $100,000 annually. Furthermore, the type of employer greatly influences pay scales; for instance, controllers at FAA en route centers tend to earn more than those at FAA contract towers. Many controllers opt for jobs offering lower hourly pay but better benefits, as health insurance can be a significant factor in long-term financial security. Negotiating hourly pay, especially for per diem or agency roles, can also be strategic, allowing controllers to balance base pay against the potential for greater overall earnings through overtime and specialized training agreements.
More salary data for Belleville, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Belleville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Belleville 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