Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Romeoville, IL: $67.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Romeoville, IL runs $67.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,163 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Romeoville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,702 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller hourly pay in Romeoville, IL, is projected to be $67.87, which is somewhat lower than the national hourly median of $73.02. For part-time controllers or those working on a per-diem basis, this translates to a significant earning opportunity, especially in the context of the high-pressure environments they operate in, such as en route centers and airport control towers. Controllers typically work 3-day weeks, providing them with flexibility while still offering competitive hourly pay. Within the city, entry-level positions may start around $39.37, while experienced controllers can earn up to $95.87 per hour, reflecting the broad range that the profession offers based on experience and facility type.
About the Romeoville 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) | $39.37 | $314.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.28 | $394.28 |
| Median (P50) | $67.87 | $542.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.32 | $690.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.87 | $766.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Romeoville
Based on $67.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.87/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Romeoville, IL can expect to earn approximately $141,171 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,445. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Romeoville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Romeoville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,714.82 | $11,764 | $141,171 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,628.89 | $7,059 | $84,702 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,085.93 | $4,706 | $56,468 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Romeoville) | $67.87 |
| 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 Romeoville, IL earn a median of $141,163 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.06% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.30% below the Illinois state average of $147,506.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.87/hr = $84,702/year (purchasing power: $87,232).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,171/year (purchasing power: $145,387).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Romeoville grew 20.4% from $54.96/hr (2019) to $66.17/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.61/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Romeoville
Further analysis reveals that part-time air traffic controllers in Romeoville, working 24 hours a week, could earn nearly $84,000 annually, compared to full-time positions which have a higher overall earning potential primarily driven by overtime. Many controllers often exceed base hours due to staffing shortages in facilities, leading to opportunities for overtime earnings that can significantly boost compensation into the six-figure range. Moreover, those working as per-diem or agency controllers may negotiate rates that can lead to higher compensation; however, it's vital to understand that these positions do not come with benefits often offered by federal employment under the FAA. The differences in hourly pay can also vary across employer types, with federal positions generally yielding more stability and comprehensive benefits compared to contract facilities, enticing some to accept lower hourly rates for the added security. Controller candidates should keep these factors in mind when negotiating pay and benefits as they enter the field in Romeoville.
More salary data for Romeoville, 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 Romeoville. 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 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