Air Traffic Controllers pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for air traffic controllers is $87.29 an hour ($181,560 a year). About 990 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($148,080). Illinois ranks 2nd of 43 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $40.38 | $83,990 |
| 25% of workers | $56.49 | $117,500 |
| Half of workers (median) | $87.29 | $181,560 |
| 75% of workers | $100.69 | $209,440 |
| 90% of workers | $108.50 | $225,680 |
Air Traffic Controllers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $189,780 | 850 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for air traffic controllers
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +1.7% over ten years, little or no change · about 2,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $293,490 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $61,260 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,820 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $93,320 |
| Commercial Pilots | $126,100 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $47,990 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,600 |
| Flight Attendants | $62,120 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.