How much does an air traffic controller make in Chicago?
$189,800a year
Median yearly pay for air traffic controllers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $91.24 an hour or $15,820 a month.
- Hourly
- $91.24
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 37
- Jobs in the area
- 850
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $89,690Median: $189,800Highest 10%: $225,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $89,690 | $43.12 | |
| 25th | $145,300 | $69.86 | |
| Median | $189,800 | $91.24 | |
| 75th | $209,400 | $100.69 | |
| 90th | $225,700 | $108.50 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for air traffic controllers.
| St. Louis, MO | $127,600 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $70,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an air traffic controller make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $91.24 ($189,800 a year).
Do air traffic controllers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $189,800 against $148,100 nationally, 28% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $181,600, so Chicago pays 5% more.
Where does Chicago rank for air traffic controller pay?
4 of 37 metro areas with data.
How much does an air traffic controller make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $89,690 or less a year; the top 10% make $225,700 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.