Air Traffic Controller Salary in Illinois: $172,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $172,805/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $177,966 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($191,761), Chicago ($189,780), Elgin ($188,087).
In Illinois, the average median salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is projected to be $172,805, which is 13.8% higher than the national median of $151,886. The highest paying city in the state is Naperville, with a salary of $196,689, while Carbondale offers the lowest at $138,139. This significant salary gap of $58,550 is primarily driven by the differences in cost of living, demand for controllers, and the volume of air traffic within metropolitan areas. Illinois has specific state licensing requirements that air traffic controllers must meet, and the demand for professionals in this field continues to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 2.57%. Cities like Naperville and Chicago, where traffic density is higher, tend to offer better salaries compared to smaller cities. Additionally, the presence of major airports and air traffic hubs in Illinois significantly influences job opportunities and compensation levels. As of 2026, there are 1,585 air traffic controllers employed across the state, indicating a stable job market that is expected to maintain a steady demand for well-trained professionals in this critical field.
Illinois Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $80,918 (lowest entry-level) to $301,151 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois air traffic controllers earn 13.77% more than the national median (+$20,919/year difference).
Illinois Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Illinois range from $89,029 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $223,665 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $172,805. The Illinois median is $20,919 above the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $83.08/hr. Approximately 1,585 air traffic controllers are employed across 64 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$153,360
2025 BLS Actual
$168,475
2026 Current Est.
$172,805
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $153,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $164,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $167,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $172,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $179,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,611 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,246 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 9.9% from $153,360 (2019) to $168,475 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,246 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,886 (15.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Carbondale | $138,139 |
| Elmhurst | $139,515 |
| Calumet City | $139,858 |
| Galesburg | $139,903 |
| Crystal Lake | $140,442 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $196,689 | 97.1 | $202,563 |
| Elgin | $192,921 | 97.1 | $198,683 |
| Chicago | $194,657 | 103.595 | $187,902 |
| Decatur | $149,540 | 97.1 | $154,006 |
| Orland Park | $149,540 | 97.1 | $154,006 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,029 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $172,805 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $223,665 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 64 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | $196,689 |
| 2 | Chicago | $194,657 |
| 3 | Elgin | $192,921 |
| 4 | Decatur | $149,540 |
| 5 | Orland Park | $149,540 |
| 6 | Bolingbrook | $148,898 |
| 7 | Champaign | $148,547 |
| 8 | Peoria | $147,854 |
| 9 | Palatine | $147,776 |
| 10 | Waukegan | $147,695 |
| 11 | Mount Prospect | $147,414 |
| 12 | Hoffman Estates | $146,935 |
| 13 | Evanston | $146,655 |
| 14 | Joliet | $146,532 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $146,409 |
| 16 | Rockford | $146,281 |
| 17 | Danville | $146,107 |
| 18 | Springfield | $146,031 |
| 19 | Addison | $145,798 |
| 20 | Berwyn | $145,732 |
| 21 | Aurora | $145,637 |
| 22 | Tinley Park | $145,616 |
| 23 | Moline | $145,592 |
| 24 | Northbrook | $145,466 |
| 25 | St. Charles | $145,375 |
| 26 | Gurnee | $145,340 |
| 27 | Arlington Heights | $145,137 |
| 28 | Wheaton | $144,950 |
| 29 | Woodridge | $144,905 |
| 30 | Schaumburg | $144,833 |
| 31 | Buffalo Grove | $144,791 |
| 32 | Bartlett | $144,780 |
| 33 | Lake in the Hills | $144,241 |
| 34 | Collinsville | $144,219 |
| 35 | Skokie | $144,179 |
| 36 | Wheeling | $143,966 |
| 37 | Carpentersville | $143,806 |
| 38 | Oak Lawn | $143,711 |
| 39 | O'Fallon | $143,681 |
| 40 | Rock Island | $143,337 |
| 41 | Quincy | $143,120 |
| 42 | Algonquin | $143,120 |
| 43 | Bloomington | $143,069 |
| 44 | Carol Stream | $142,994 |
| 45 | Normal | $142,987 |
| 46 | Lombard | $142,903 |
| 47 | Cicero | $142,754 |
| 48 | Plainfield | $142,605 |
| 49 | Des Plaines | $142,578 |
| 50 | Urbana | $142,536 |
| 51 | Oswego | $142,033 |
| 52 | DeKalb | $141,918 |
| 53 | Park Ridge | $141,804 |
| 54 | Hanover Park | $141,747 |
| 55 | Glenview | $141,735 |
| 56 | Romeoville | $141,163 |
| 57 | Streamwood | $140,968 |
| 58 | Downers Grove | $140,705 |
| 59 | Belleville | $140,671 |
| 60 | Crystal Lake | $140,442 |
| 61 | Galesburg | $139,903 |
| 62 | Calumet City | $139,858 |
| 63 | Elmhurst | $139,515 |
| 64 | Carbondale | $138,139 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Illinois cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Illinois?
How does Illinois air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Illinois?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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