Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Oswego, IL: $68.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Oswego, IL runs $68.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,033 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Oswego's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,214 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Oswego's air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $68.28, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This competitive pay structure affects different employment patterns within the profession. For those working part-time, such as controllers putting in three days a week, the compensation can be substantial, offering a steady income while allowing flexibility. On an hourly basis, entry-level positions can start around $39.60, while experienced controllers can earn up to $97.27. These figures are indicative of the high stakes environment where workers operate en route center radar consoles or manage aviation traffic from control tower cabs. The hourly rates reflect estimated values derived from annual salary data, capturing the varying financial landscape of air traffic controller hourly pay in Oswego, Illinois.
About the Oswego 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) | $39.60 | $316.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.10 | $400.76 |
| Median (P50) | $68.28 | $546.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.35 | $698.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.27 | $778.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oswego
Based on $68.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.28/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oswego, IL can expect to earn approximately $142,024 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,937. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oswego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oswego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,731.23 | $11,835 | $142,024 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,638.74 | $7,101 | $85,214 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,092.49 | $4,734 | $56,810 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Oswego) | $68.28 |
| 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 Oswego, IL earn a median of $142,033 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.49% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $147,490.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.28/hr = $85,214/year (purchasing power: $87,760).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,024/year (purchasing power: $146,266).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Oswego grew 20.4% from $55.29/hr (2019) to $66.57/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.04/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 Oswego 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 Oswego
Analyzing the earning potential for a part-time air traffic controller working 24 hours a week highlights a significant difference compared to full-time peers. While full-time controllers may benefit from overtime opportunities—potentially boosting their effective hourly compensation beyond the base pay through extended shifts—part-timers enjoy a manageable, consistent workload. Per-diem air traffic controller pay in Oswego can also vary, particularly during training transfers, where rates can be negotiated. Many facilities struggle with staffing, which means overtime can be a regular expectation for those at FAA en route centers or TRACONs. Individual employers offer diverse compensation packages, including health insurance, which can appeal to some controllers despite lower hourly rates in certain contexts. As controllers negotiate their specific roles and hours, understanding employer differences is key in securing optimal compensation, especially in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for Oswego, 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 Oswego. 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 Oswego 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