Air Traffic Controller Salary in Plainfield, IL: $142,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Plainfield, IL earns a median $142,605/year (≈ $68.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $146,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plainfield, Illinois, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary for 2026 stands at $142,605, reflecting a trend that positions it slightly below the national average of $151,886. The local salary range stretches from $82,928 at the 10th percentile to $204,231 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the disparities based on facility type and experience. For controllers employed here, tier distinctions between en route, terminal, and tower facilities significantly impact earning potential. En route controllers, operating in Level 12 roles, typically command higher salaries compared to their terminal and tower counterparts. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, provide a clear snapshot of the air traffic controller pay landscape in Plainfield, IL.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,928 | $39.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,307 | $50.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,605 | $68.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,535 | $87.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,231 | $98.19 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,303 (2026 est.). At $142,605, the local median is 6.11% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $142,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,472 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.11% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Plainfield, IL earn a median of $142,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $147,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield 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.
Plainfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,864 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,475
2025 BLS Actual
$139,032
2026 Current Est.
$142,605
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,475 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,169 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,986 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,956 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,032 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,475 (2019) to $139,032 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,795 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $82,928 – $105,307 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,307 – $142,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,605 – $182,535 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,535 – $204,231 |
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 Plainfield
With only 11 air traffic controllers currently employed in the Plainfield area, the job market remains relatively tight. The cost of living index in this region is 97.1, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to national standards. This factor positively influences take-home purchasing power for controllers. Among the various employment options, FAA en route centers generally offer the most lucrative compensation, followed by terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. Factors contributing to differences in pay include facility levels, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers seeking to optimize their earnings in this market should consider pursuing overtime hours and higher-tier assignments, as both are often available due to chronic staffing shortages across the industry.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $139,032 for air traffic controllersin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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