Illinois Median
$181,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$87.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#2 of 43
990 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Illinois?
Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois take home a median of $181,560 annually — roughly $87.29 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $148,080.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $83,990 while the top 10% make $225,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $117,500 and $209,440 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,990 | $40.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $117,500 | $56.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $181,560 | $87.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $209,440 | $100.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 2nd out of 43 states and territories for Air Traffic Controller pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Air Traffic Controller salary in other states
Virginia $191,820Georgia $178,420Colorado $177,380Minnesota $176,840Texas $170,080Washington $162,570California $160,080Kansas $159,700Indiana $158,810Hawaii $158,700Utah $158,310Tennessee $157,330New Mexico $148,550Florida $147,530New York $144,960Connecticut $140,940Nevada $140,920Arizona $136,800Pennsylvania $132,350New Jersey $132,230Maryland $131,290North Carolina $129,230Kentucky $127,800Rhode Island $126,300Massachusetts $125,060Alaska $123,950Oklahoma $123,220Missouri $122,200Michigan $118,930Alabama $114,960South Carolina $112,030Nebraska $111,710Arkansas $109,760Vermont $109,140North Dakota $107,990Maine $107,270Montana $101,380Louisiana $99,810Wyoming $93,580Iowa $90,790Mississippi $88,110District of Columbia $47,760
Working as an Air Traffic Controller in Illinois
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($181,560) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Illinois?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Illinois is $181,560 per year, or about $87.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,990 at the entry level to $225,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Air Traffic Controllers about 23% more than the national median of $148,080. Illinois ranks 2nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $181,560 a year. About 990 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Air Traffic Controller salary report
Related salaries
$37,290
median pay · 249,000 employed
$47,920
median pay · 403,000 employed
$92,100
median pay · 25,000 employed
$51,520
median pay · 32,000 employed
$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed
$35,830
median pay · 380,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.