Air Traffic Controller Salary in Waukegan, IL: $147,695 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Waukegan, IL earns a median $147,695/year (≈ $71.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $152,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $147,695 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $151,886. The local pay range extends from $85,663 at the 10th percentile to $222,410 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various pay scales depending on experience and facility type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost of living conditions. In an industry marked by chronic understaffing, controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, a factor that significantly influences effective compensation and provides opportunities for higher earnings within Waukegan's competitive market.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,663 | $41.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,340 | $51.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,695 | $71.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,049 | $90.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,410 | $106.93 |
Median Salary Position
2.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,747 (2026 est.). At $147,695, the local median is 2.76% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $147,695/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $147,547 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.76% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $147,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.76% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $147,547.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,695 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,106 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,596
2025 BLS Actual
$143,994
2026 Current Est.
$147,695
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,596 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,821 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,916 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,994 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,695 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,490 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,596 (2019) to $143,994 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,490 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,894 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $85,663 – $106,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,340 – $147,695 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,695 – $189,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,049 – $222,410 |
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 Waukegan
Employment opportunities for air traffic controllers in Waukegan are relatively stable, with 18 professionals currently in the field. The area's cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance take-home pay and purchasing power for those in this profession. Among the primary employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest compensation, followed by terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. The variation in pay can be attributed to several factors, including facility level, certification status, and shift differentials, which can add significant premiums to earnings. To maximize their air traffic controller pay in Waukegan, professionals should seek out opportunities for overtime, pursue CPC certification, and be prepared to work varied shifts, as these factors can lead to substantial increases in total compensation over time.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $143,994 for air traffic controllersin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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