Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bolingbrook, IL: $148,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bolingbrook, IL earns a median $148,898/year (≈ $71.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bolingbrook's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $153,345 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bolingbrook, Illinois, the projected 2026 median air traffic controller salary is $148,898, marginally below the national median of $151,886, reflecting the nuanced economic landscape of the area. Salaries in this field vary significantly, with a range from $86,361 to $211,786. Compensation estimates derived from BLS state-level data illustrate that these figures take into account local cost of living adjustments, positioning air traffic controller pay Bolingbrook IL as a competitive option among other occupations in the region. Given the certification timeline of 1 to 3 years to achieve full pay, many aspiring controllers can expect a gradual increase in compensation as they navigate through the developmental stages of their careers, a crucial factor for those considering the pathway into air traffic control in Bolingbrook.
About the Bolingbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,361 | $41.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,136 | $52.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,898 | $71.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,271 | $91.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,786 | $101.82 |
Median Salary Position
1.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bolingbrook
In Bolingbrook, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,425 (2026 est.). At $148,898, the local median is 1.97% below the national median of $151,886.
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How Bolingbrook Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bolingbrook median: $148,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bolingbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,424 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.97% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bolingbrook, IL earn a median of $148,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.00% above the Illinois state average of $147,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bolingbrook has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bolingbrook, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $148,898 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,345 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,571
2025 BLS Actual
$145,167
2026 Current Est.
$148,898
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bolingbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,571 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,854 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,088 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,167 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bolingbrook metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $120,571 (2019) to $145,167 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,153 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bolingbrook 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,361 – $109,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,136 – $148,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,898 – $189,271 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,271 – $211,786 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Bolingbrook
With 19 air traffic controllers currently employed in Bolingbrook, the local job market reflects a stable demand despite the broader staffing challenges faced nationally within the FAA system. The area's cost of living index sits at 97.1, below the national average, which positively impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for controllers. Major employers in the region, such as FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers (ATCTs), influence salary levels based on factors like facility type, CPC certification status, and additional pay for shift differentials and overtime hours. Developmental controllers typically earn 65-75% of CPC rates, necessitating a strategic focus on maximizing earnings through overtime and targeted positions at higher-level facilities. With the age 56 mandatory retirement rule, the opportunities for advancement and lucrative pay come into sharper consideration for those looking to establish a career in air traffic control in Bolingbrook.
More salary data for Bolingbrook, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $145,167 for air traffic controllersin the Bolingbrook metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bolingbrook 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