Air Traffic Controller Salary in Rock Island, IL: $143,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Rock Island, IL earns a median $143,337/year (≈ $68.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $147,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Island, Illinois, air traffic controller positions offer a competitive median salary of $143,337 for the year 2026, reflecting the unique tiered system of FAA employment. Controllers operating at different facility levels, such as en route Level 12 versus terminal Level 11 or tower Level 7, experience significant variations in pay, with the overall compensation range stretching from $83,136 to $197,516. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. Given the Federal Aviation Administration's structure, the job market in Rock Island highlights the earning potential for qualified candidates, especially in the context of a system that prioritizes experience and certification.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,136 | $39.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,742 | $51.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,337 | $68.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,733 | $86.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,516 | $94.96 |
Median Salary Position
5.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,380 (2026 est.). At $143,337, the local median is 5.63% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be above the median
How Rock Island Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $143,337/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,467 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.63% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $143,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.63% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Illinois state average of $147,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island 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.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,337 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,068
2025 BLS Actual
$139,746
2026 Current Est.
$143,337
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,448 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,746 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $116,068 (2019) to $139,746 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,953 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $83,136 – $106,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,742 – $143,337 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,337 – $179,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,733 – $197,516 |
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 Rock Island
The local job market maintains a modest presence with only five air traffic controllers currently employed in Rock Island. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, the area slightly undercuts the national average, impacting the purchasing power of controllers' salaries. Employers that typically offer the highest pay include FAA en route centers, followed closely by terminal radar approach controls and then airport traffic control towers. The disparity in salaries largely results from facility-level distinctions, where en route Level 12 controllers have higher pay scales compared to their terminal and tower counterparts. Potential earnings can be maximized through a focus on obtaining CPC certification, which enables access to developmental pay, shift differentials, and abundant overtime opportunities amidst persistent staffing challenges. Strategies for enhancing compensation should emphasize career progression and networking within FAA circles, understanding that being informed about locality pay and the high demands of various facilities can significantly influence earnings in the Rock Island IL market.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 $139,746 for air traffic controllersin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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