Air Traffic Controller Salary in Urbana, IL: $142,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Urbana, IL earns a median $142,536/year (≈ $68.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $146,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salaries in Urbana, Illinois, reflect both the demand for skilled professionals in this crucial field and the unique dynamics of the local job market. With a projected median annual salary of $142,536 for 2026, the compensation for air traffic controllers in Urbana sits at about 6.16% lower than the national median of $151,886. However, the salary range is quite broad, spanning from $83,377 at the 10th percentile to $204,000 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local living costs, indicate a robust earning potential—especially considering that many facilities operate with chronic understaffing, pushing employees to work longer hours and often accrue overtime. This reality effectively increases overall pay and reflects the high stakes of air traffic control in this region.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,377 | $40.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,173 | $50.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,536 | $68.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,446 | $87.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,000 | $98.08 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,623 (2026 est.). At $142,536, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Urbana median: $142,536/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,553 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.16% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Urbana, IL earn a median of $142,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.40% below the Illinois state average of $147,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,536 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,419
2025 BLS Actual
$138,965
2026 Current Est.
$142,536
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,392 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,924 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,965 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,200 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,419 (2019) to $138,965 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,200 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,781 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $83,377 – $105,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,173 – $142,536 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,536 – $182,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,446 – $204,000 |
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 Urbana
With only six air traffic controllers currently employed in Urbana, the local workforce is limited, which can contribute to competitive compensation for those in the field. The cost of living in Urbana, indexed at 97.1, suggests that take-home pay may stretch further compared to more expensive urban areas. Employers such as FAA en route centers typically offer higher pay scales, particularly for facilities managing high-altitude traffic. Factors such as the type of facility, CPC certification status, and overtime requirements create a significant spread between low and high pay within the market. Those seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Urbana should focus on securing positions at high-level facilities, pursuing certifications, and being open to overtime shifts, as strategies like these can lead to considerably higher earnings.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 $138,965 for air traffic controllersin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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