Air Traffic Controller Salary in Peoria, IL: $147,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Peoria, IL earns a median $147,854/year (≈ $71.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $152,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Peoria, Illinois, air traffic controllers command a median annual salary of $147,854, slightly below the national median of $151,886 for 2026. The full salary spectrum ranges from $85,755 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $226,499 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted to reflect local cost of living conditions. As expected, the tier of the facility—en route Level 12 versus terminal and tower—plays a critical role in pay scales, with en route controllers typically earning the highest compensation. This competitive salary suggests a robust job market for air traffic controllers in Peoria, highlighting its importance within the regional aviation sector.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,755 | $41.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,454 | $51.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,854 | $71.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,438 | $90.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,499 | $108.90 |
Median Salary Position
2.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,744 (2026 est.). At $147,854, the local median is 2.65% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Peoria median: $147,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,411 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.65% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Peoria, IL earn a median of $147,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% above the Illinois state average of $147,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria 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.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,270 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
$119,725
2025 BLS Actual
$144,149
2026 Current Est.
$147,854
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,725 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,733 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,071 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,725 (2019) to $144,149 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,928 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $85,755 – $106,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,454 – $147,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,854 – $188,438 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,438 – $226,499 |
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 Peoria
Employment for air traffic controllers in Peoria remains steady, with 28 professionals currently active in the field. The local cost of living index is 97.1, indicating that expenses in this area are lower than the national average. This reality enhances the purchasing power of salaries in the region, providing a practical boost to take-home pay. Among various employers, the FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. Various factors influence the pay disparity, including facility type, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime, which is often mandatory due to staffing challenges. Controllers aiming to maximize their earnings in Peoria should consider the benefits of working at a higher-tier facility, pursuing CPC status, and taking advantage of available overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Peoria, IL in 2026?
Is Peoria, IL a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Peoria?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Peoria?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Peoria?
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 $144,149 for air traffic controllersin the Peoria 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 Peoria 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