Air Traffic Controller Salary in Chicago, IL
Air Traffic Controllers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $189,780 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $132,059 take-home, or $11,005 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median air traffic controller salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$34,281
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,752
- Illinois income tax$9,249
- Take-home pay$132,059
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Air Traffic Controller pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,690 | $43.12 | $67,632 | $5,636 |
| 25th percentile | $145,310 | $69.86 | $103,537 | $8,628 |
| Median (50th) | $189,780 | $91.24 | $132,059 | $11,005 |
| 75th percentile | $209,440 | $100.69 | $145,657 | $12,138 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 | $156,190 | $13,016 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $189,780 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median air traffic controller's $132,059 take-home pay has the buying power of $127,476 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× the national concentration of air traffic controller jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for air traffic controllers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #5 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $186,510 | $138,870 | $134,708 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $186,640 | $129,903 | $129,828 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $171,910 | $123,725 | $129,289 |
| 4 | Jacksonville, FL | $170,120 | $127,543 | $128,205 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $189,780 | $132,059 | $127,476 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $175,280 | $131,070 | $117,940 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $179,670 | $122,799 | $117,150 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $174,870 | $118,894 | $109,193 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Chicago, IL?
The median air traffic controller salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $189,780 a year, or about $91.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $145,310 and $209,440.
What is a air traffic controller’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $189,780 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $132,059 a year ($11,005 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,249 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $148,080. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $127,476 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #5 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a air traffic controller afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 14% of a median air traffic controller’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Commercial Pilot — $157,420
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $77,470
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — $76,530
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers — $72,180
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $68,330
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $65,200
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $62,300
- Flight Attendant — $62,120
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders — $61,420
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other — $59,330
- Crane and Tower Operator — $55,890