Air Traffic Controller Salary in Mount Prospect, IL: $147,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Mount Prospect, IL earns a median $147,414/year (≈ $70.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Mount Prospect's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $151,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for an air traffic controller salary in Mount Prospect is projected to reach $147,414, slightly below the national median of $151,886. Salary ranges indicate a wide earning spectrum, with the lower end starting at $85,500 and the upper echelon reaching up to $211,680. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted to reflect regional cost of living factors. For aspiring controllers in Mount Prospect, the timeline to reach full pay usually spans 1 to 3 years, as new hires typically enter in a developmental position before progressing to certified professional controllers (CPC) status, markedly impacting their earning potential.
About the Mount Prospect Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,500 | $41.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,137 | $51.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,414 | $70.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,690 | $90.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,680 | $101.77 |
Median Salary Position
2.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Prospect
In Mount Prospect, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,180 (2026 est.). At $147,414, the local median is 2.94% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Prospect: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Prospect Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Mount Prospect median: $147,414/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Prospect Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.94% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Prospect, IL earn a median of $147,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.94% lower than the national median of $151,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Prospect 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.
Mount Prospect, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,414 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,817 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$119,369
2025 BLS Actual
$143,720
2026 Current Est.
$147,414
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Prospect (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,369 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,356 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,335 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,642 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Prospect metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,369 (2019) to $143,720 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,833 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Prospect 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) | $85,500 – $106,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,137 – $147,414 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,414 – $188,690 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,690 – $211,680 |
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 Mount Prospect
With only 13 air traffic controllers employed in Mount Prospect, the local job market is quite niche, but opportunities can be lucrative for those positioned within the right facilities. The area has a cost-of-living index of 97.1, slightly below the national average, which can translate to favorable purchasing power for controllers in the region. Among local employers, the FAA's en route centers generally yield the highest pay compared to terminal TRACONs or towers, with advancements leading to significant income increases. The variance in salaries is influenced by several factors such as facility tier, CPC certification, shift differentials, and the potential for overtime. Controllers seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay Mount Prospect IL should consider strategically pursuing roles at higher-paying facilities, taking advantage of shift differentials, and accruing overtime, all while being mindful of the impending mandatory retirement age of 56.
More salary data for Mount Prospect, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Mount Prospect, IL in 2026?
Is Mount Prospect, IL a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Mount Prospect?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Mount Prospect?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Mount Prospect?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $143,720 for air traffic controllersin the Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect 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