Air Traffic Controller Salary in Chicago, IL: $194,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Chicago, IL earns a median $194,657/year (≈ $93.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $187,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 32.0% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $194,657 in 2026, reflecting a notable jump compared to national figures. This salary range spans from $91,995 at the lowest end (P10) to $231,480 at the highest (P90), driven in part by the demanding hours typical in this line of work. Controllers in the area often find themselves working 50 to 60 hour weeks, especially in understaffed facilities, which significantly boosts their overall compensation through overtime. This information is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the lucrative compensation landscape for controllers in the city as they manage busy flight corridors and ensure safety in one of the nation’s busiest aviation hubs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,995 | $44.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $149,044 | $71.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $194,657 | $93.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $214,823 | $103.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,480 | $111.29 |
Median Salary Position
28.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,485 (2026 est.). At $194,657, the local median is 28.16% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be above the median
How Chicago Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Chicago median: $194,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,468 | +32.00% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +28.16% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $194,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.16% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 32.00% above the Illinois state average of $147,468.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $194,657 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $187,902 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$153,360
2025 BLS Actual
$189,780
2026 Current Est.
$194,657
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chicago (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 | $184,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $189,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $194,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $199,660 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 23.7% from $153,360 (2019) to $189,780 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $199,660 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,300 (30.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $91,995 – $149,044 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $149,044 – $194,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $194,657 – $214,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $214,823 – $231,480 |
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 Chicago
The job market for air traffic controllers in Chicago remains robust, with around 850 controllers currently employed in the region. The elevated cost of living in the area, marked by a cost of living index of 103.595, influences purchasing power but is often counterbalanced by higher pay rates. Among the various employers, FAA en route centers generally offer the most competitive salaries. Controllers at Level 12 en route facilities can earn significantly more than those at terminal radar approach controls or airport traffic control towers. Factors such as facility level, Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, and the prevalence of mandatory overtime all contribute to salary variations within this sector. For those looking to maximize air traffic controller pay in Chicago IL, strategically seeking positions at high-tier en route facilities and being open to shift differentials can lead to substantial earnings well above the median.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Chicago?
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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 $189,780 for air traffic controllersin the Chicago 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
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