Air Traffic Controller Salary in Galesburg, IL: $139,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Galesburg, IL earns a median $139,903/year (≈ $67.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $144,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an air traffic controller in Galesburg, Illinois, is $139,903, which reflects a relative decrease of approximately 7.89% when compared to the national median of $151,886 for the same year. The salary range in Galesburg can vary significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $81,144 while top earners can reach up to $200,188. This compensation data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, offers a clear picture of the financial landscape for aspiring and current controllers in the area. As Galesburg continues to maintain a limited workforce in air traffic control, the dynamics of this market create unique opportunities for growth and advancement.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,144 | $39.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,731 | $48.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,903 | $67.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,076 | $86.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,188 | $96.24 |
Median Salary Position
7.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,044 (2026 est.). At $139,903, the local median is 7.89% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $139,903/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,422 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.89% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $139,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.89% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $147,422.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg 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.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,903 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,081 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,287
2025 BLS Actual
$136,398
2026 Current Est.
$139,903
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,287 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,817 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,287 (2019) to $136,398 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,212 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $81,144 – $100,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,731 – $139,903 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,903 – $179,076 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,076 – $200,188 |
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 Galesburg
With only four air traffic controllers currently employed in Galesburg, the job market remains somewhat niche. The local cost of living index, sitting at 97.1, indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can translate into greater purchasing power for controllers in the region. Among local employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries due to the complexity and volume of traffic managed, followed by terminal radar approach controls and airport towers. Variances in pay can be attributed to factors such as facility tier level, CPC certification status, and potential shift differentials. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Galesburg, pursuing CPC certification as quickly as possible and opting for shifts that provide additional pay incentives could yield more competitive compensation given the chronic staffing shortages that require controllers to work overtime and cover additional hours effectively.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 $136,398 for air traffic controllersin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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