Air Traffic Controller salary in Illinois
Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois earn a median of $181,560 a year ($87.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $148,080. Illinois ranks 2nd of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $164,200, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| 25th percentile | $117,500 | $56.49 |
| Median | $181,560 | $87.29 |
| 75th percentile | $209,440 | $100.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $164,200 | $78.94 |
Half of air traffic controllers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $15,130 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,565 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,983.08 |
| Weekly | $3,491.54 |
| Hourly | $87.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $189,780 | 850 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $127,630 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $62,120 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $293,490 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $126,100 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,200 | $31.35 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Illinois?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Illinois is $181,560 a year, or $87.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Illinois earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $209,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,990 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $117,500 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Illinois?
About 990 air traffic controllers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.