Air Traffic Controller Salary in Calumet City, IL: $139,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Calumet City, IL earns a median $139,858/year (≈ $67.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Calumet City's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $144,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Calumet City, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $139,858, which is about 7.92% less than the national median of $151,886. The salary range for these professionals spans from $81,117 at the lower end to $194,740 at the higher end, reflecting a significant potential for earnings based on experience and facility type. These projections are informed by 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost factors, offering a grounded perspective on compensation vs. living expenses in this region. Due to chronic understaffing in the sector, many controllers can be found working 50 to 60-hour weeks, often resulting in substantial overtime pay that effectively elevates their overall earnings well above the base salary figures.
About the Calumet City Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,117 | $39.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,698 | $48.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,858 | $67.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,601 | $84.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,740 | $93.63 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Calumet City
In Calumet City, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,623 (2026 est.). At $139,858, the local median is 7.92% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Calumet City: You'd be above the median
How Calumet City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Calumet City median: $139,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Calumet City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,530 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.92% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Calumet City, IL earn a median of $139,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Illinois state average of $147,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Calumet City 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.
Calumet City, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,858 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,251
2025 BLS Actual
$136,354
2026 Current Est.
$139,858
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Calumet City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,251 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,092 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,778 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,354 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,453 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Calumet City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,251 (2019) to $136,354 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,202 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Calumet City 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) | $81,117 – $100,698 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,698 – $139,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,858 – $176,601 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,601 – $194,740 |
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 Calumet City
Calumet City's job market for air traffic controllers is relatively small, with only seven currently employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains viable given local expenses. The highest pay tends to be associated with en route centers, which control high-altitude air traffic, as opposed to terminal radar approach control and airport towers, where pay scales typically rank lower. Factors such as facility type, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime play a vital role in determining pay disparities. To maximize earnings, targets should include pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions at en route facilities, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities, particularly given the ongoing demand for controllers driven by staffing shortages.
More salary data for Calumet City, 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 $136,354 for air traffic controllersin the Calumet City 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 Calumet City 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