Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hanover Park, IL: $141,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hanover Park, IL earns a median $141,747/year (≈ $68.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hanover Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $145,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Hanover Park, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $141,747, which is slightly below the national median of $151,886 for that same year. This salary is part of a broader compensation range that spans from $82,213 at the lower tenth percentile to $206,368 at the ninety percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data projected to 2026, adjusted for regional price parity. Controllers at en route Level 12 facilities generally command higher wages due to the complexity and volume of traffic they manage compared to those at terminal and tower facilities. As such, understanding the tiered facility system is key for prospective air traffic controllers to navigate their earning potential in Hanover Park's competitive job market.
About the Hanover Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,213 | $39.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,637 | $49.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,747 | $68.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,661 | $84.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,368 | $99.22 |
Median Salary Position
6.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hanover Park
In Hanover Park, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,155 (2026 est.). At $141,747, the local median is 6.68% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hanover Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hanover Park Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hanover Park median: $141,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hanover Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,499 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.68% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hanover Park, IL earn a median of $141,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.90% below the Illinois state average of $147,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hanover Park 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.
Hanover Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,780
2025 BLS Actual
$138,195
2026 Current Est.
$141,747
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hanover Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,714 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,422 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,209 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,389 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hanover Park metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,780 (2019) to $138,195 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,389 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,609 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hanover Park 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) | $82,213 – $103,637 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,637 – $141,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,747 – $175,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,661 – $206,368 |
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 Hanover Park
Local employment statistics reveal that there are currently six air traffic controllers in Hanover Park. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, the purchasing power in this area is relatively favorable compared to the national average. Those aiming for higher earnings should consider pursuing positions at FAA en route centers, which typically offer better pay than terminal and tower facilities. The compensation differences can be influenced by several factors, such as facility level, certification status, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities, all of which can considerably boost pay. Active engagement in additional training and acquiring certified professional controller (CPC) status may enhance salary prospects, particularly in a region where staffing shortages have led to perpetual overtime opportunities. Understanding these dynamics is essential for maximizing pay as an air traffic controller in Hanover Park.
More salary data for Hanover Park, 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 $138,195 for air traffic controllersin the Hanover Park 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 Hanover Park 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