Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Illinois
The median pay for a air traffic controllers in Illinois is $175,090/year ($84.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $222K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $175K get you in Illinois?
About air traffic controllers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level air traffic controllers (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $175K.Top earners bring in $222K or more - a $146K spread from bottom to top.
Air Traffic Controllers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $186K | +29% | 1,130 |
| Minnesota | $176K | +22% | 630 |
| Illinois | $175K | +21% | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $175K | +21% | 970 |
| Texas | $168K | +16% | 2,020 |
| Washington | $164K | +13% | 600 |
| Kansas | $157K | +8% | 410 |
| Utah | $156K | +8% | 350 |
| Indiana | $156K | +8% | 620 |
| Tennessee | $154K | +6% | 610 |
| California | $152K | +5% | 2,260 |
| Nevada | $148K | +2% | 210 |
| New Mexico | $145K | +0% | 360 |
| Florida | $145K | +0% | 1,980 |
| New York | $142K | -2% | 1,190 |
Track air traffic controllers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Illinois?
The median is $175,090 a year - that works out to about $84.18 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,490, and experienced air traffic controllers can clear $221,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $175K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,147/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 11.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a air traffic controllers salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median air traffic controllers salary is worth about $175,090 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do air traffic controllers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.