Air Traffic Controller Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $142,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $142,578/year (≈ $68.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $146,836 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The anticipated median annual salary for air traffic controllers in Des Plaines, Illinois, is projected to reach $142,578 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $151,886. With a salary range spanning from $82,695 at the 10th percentile to $204,713 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect the diverse pay tiers based on roles within the air traffic control system. Controllers at en route facilities generally command higher salaries compared to their terminal and tower counterparts, largely due to the complexity of managing high-altitude air traffic. The data provided is derived from BLS estimates based on state-level statistics and regional cost of living adjustments, indicating that while earnings are strong, they must also be viewed in the context of local job opportunities and facility types in Des Plaines.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,695 | $39.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,656 | $49.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,578 | $68.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,388 | $87.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,713 | $98.42 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,018 (2026 est.). At $142,578, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $142,578/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,444 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.13% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $142,578 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $147,444.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,578 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,836 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,453
2025 BLS Actual
$139,006
2026 Current Est.
$142,578
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,428 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,799 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,962 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,006 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,453 (2019) to $139,006 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,790 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $82,695 – $102,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,656 – $142,578 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,578 – $182,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,388 – $204,713 |
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 Des Plaines
Des Plaines currently employs 12 air traffic controllers, positioning it as a relatively small market within the broader aviation sector. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, controllers may find their purchasing power somewhat enhanced compared to other regions. Employers in this area, primarily FAA facilities, offer varying pay structures depending on job classifications, with en route centers typically providing the highest salaries. Factors contributing to pay disparities include facility level, certification status, and shift differentials that can significantly boost earnings. To optimize their salary, aspiring controllers should aim for positions at higher-tier facilities and seek certifications and additional duties that leverage overtime opportunities. With mandatory retirement at age 56, the potential for accelerated career advancement also exists for those willing to enter a field facing chronic understaffing challenges.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $139,006 for air traffic controllersin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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