Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Urbana, IL: $68.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Urbana, IL runs $68.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,536 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Urbana's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,522 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, Illinois, the air traffic controller hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $68.53 in 2026, falling slightly below the national median of $73.02. This pay rate offers an attractive opportunity for those considering part-time roles. For instance, a controller working three days a week would still earn a substantial wage while benefitting from a flexible schedule. With an hourly range from $40.08 for entry-level positions to $98.08 for top earners, there are pathways for career progression within the field in various environments. Controllers may work in en route center radar consoles or airport control towers, each offering unique daily challenges and settings where high-stakes traffic management occurs. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the demands and responsibilities inherent in the air traffic control profession.
About the Urbana 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) | $40.08 | $320.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.57 | $404.54 |
| Median (P50) | $68.53 | $548.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.72 | $701.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.08 | $784.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbana
Based on $68.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.53/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbana, IL can expect to earn approximately $142,536 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,232. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,741.08 | $11,878 | $142,536 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,644.65 | $7,127 | $85,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,096.43 | $4,751 | $57,014 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Urbana) | $68.53 |
| 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 Urbana, IL earn a median of $142,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.40% below the Illinois state average of $147,553.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.53/hr = $85,522/year (purchasing power: $88,076).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,536/year (purchasing power: $146,793).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Urbana grew 20.4% from $55.49/hr (2019) to $66.81/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.29/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 Urbana 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 Urbana
When examining the earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers in Urbana, working just three days a week can yield a considerable annual income, especially when factoring in the lack of overtime pay associated with part-time status. Controllers who frequently work overtime, commonly required in understaffed environments, can significantly boost their earnings—often racking up $50,000 to $100,000 in additional pay due to extended hours. This reality is especially pertinent in today’s air traffic control landscape, where chronic understaffing often leads to long shifts. Various facilities, including FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and contract towers, each have distinct pay scales; those in federal employment can enjoy benefits versus those employed at contract towers who may command higher pay rates without the same level of support. For aspiring controllers, negotiating their hourly pay can involve emphasizing skillsets developed through training and experience while being mindful of the trade-offs between compensation and health insurance offers, particularly in an evolving job market where benefits could sway decisions.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 Urbana. 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 Urbana 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