Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cicero, IL: $142,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cicero, IL earns a median $142,754/year (≈ $68.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cicero's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $147,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Cicero, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $142,754, reflecting a local economic environment that is slightly below the national average for the profession. Salaries range quite notably, with starting pay at $82,798 and the potential to earn as much as $205,308 as controllers gain experience and move up within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) framework. These salary figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price patterns, indicating the unique economic context of Cicero. As prospective controllers complete their training, particularly those on the developmental track, they stand to experience incremental pay increases over a three-year certification timeline that can shape their long-term earning potential.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,798 | $39.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,782 | $49.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,754 | $68.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,725 | $87.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,308 | $98.70 |
Median Salary Position
6.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cicero
In Cicero, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,510 (2026 est.). At $142,754, the local median is 6.01% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cicero: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cicero Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cicero median: $142,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cicero Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,473 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.01% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cicero, IL earn a median of $142,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.01% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $147,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cicero 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.
Cicero, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,754 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,595
2025 BLS Actual
$139,177
2026 Current Est.
$142,754
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,579 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,949 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,299 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,101 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,177 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,423 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cicero metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,595 (2019) to $139,177 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,423 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,828 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero 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) | $82,798 – $102,782 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,782 – $142,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,754 – $182,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,725 – $205,308 |
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 Cicero
The job market for air traffic controllers in Cicero currently employs 21 professionals, highlighting a stable but moderately sized sector. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, take-home earnings may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, though salary scales can significantly vary based on various factors. Facilities like en route centers often pay the most, followed by terminal and tower operations, with salaries reflecting the responsibilities of managing increasingly complex air traffic. Factors such as certification status, shift differentials, and the need for overtime due to staff shortages further influence pay variations. To maximize earnings in Cicero, controllers should consider pursuing certification early, taking on shifts that offer additional compensation, and seeking positions at higher-tier facilities to enhance their overall pay package.
More salary data for Cicero, 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 $139,177 for air traffic controllersin the Cicero 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 Cicero 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