Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$83,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$117,500
- 50th Percentile — Median$181,560
- 75th Percentile — Senior$209,440
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$225,680
Half of Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois earn more than $181,560. The top 10% make $225,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $83,990.
Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 3rd of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $164,200 per year (12.1% above the U.S. average of $146,490).
- 990 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois — 4.4% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.12: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $83,990; the top 10% earn over $225,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $78.94 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
- Among transportation jobs in Illinois, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($316,140).
Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $164,200 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $164,200 is roughly equivalent to $156,381 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($175,740), Georgia ($164,700), Minnesota ($162,920) are the closest alternatives for Air Traffic Controllers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $316,140/yr Illinois +92.5% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $157,600/yr Illinois 4.0% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $102,480/yr Illinois 37.6% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $83,930/yr Illinois 48.9% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $69,780/yr Illinois 57.5% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,430/yr Illinois 62.0% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,300/yr Illinois 67.5% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $49,550/yr Illinois 69.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Illinois?
The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Illinois is $164,200 per year (median $181,560), which is 12.1% above the national average of $146,490.
How does Illinois rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?
Illinois ranks 3rd out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois earn about $83,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $117,500.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Illinois?
About $78.94 per hour, based on the $164,200 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Air Traffic Controllers work in Illinois?
BLS counts 990 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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