Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Naperville, IL: $94.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Naperville, IL runs $94.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $196,689 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Naperville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $97.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $118,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Naperville, Illinois, command a robust median hourly pay of $94.56, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $73.02. This competitive wage allows professionals in this area to enjoy the benefits of part-time work or per diem assignments within various operational settings. Whether stationed at en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities near major airports, or in airport traffic control towers, controllers can take advantage of this high hourly rate. Entry-level positions in Naperville may start around $54.84 per hour, while top earners can reach approximately $144.79 per hour. These figures, estimated from projected annual salary data, reflect the strong demand for skilled air traffic controllers in both local and regional air traffic management.
About the Naperville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.84 | $438.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.09 | $544.69 |
| Median (P50) | $94.56 | $756.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120.40 | $963.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144.79 | $1158.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Naperville
Based on $94.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $94.56/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Naperville, IL can expect to earn approximately $196,683 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $113,471. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Naperville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Naperville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,782.37 | $16,390 | $196,683 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,269.42 | $9,834 | $118,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,512.95 | $6,556 | $78,673 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Naperville) | $94.56 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Naperville, IL earn a median of $196,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.50% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 33.40% above the Illinois state average of $147,443.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $94.56/hr = $118,010/year (purchasing power: $121,534).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $196,683/year (purchasing power: $202,557).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$76.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$92.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$94.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $81.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $80.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $82.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $85.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $92.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Naperville grew 20.4% from $76.57/hr (2019) to $92.19/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $96.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Naperville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Naperville
Focusing on the earning potential of part-time air traffic controllers reveals substantial differences compared to full-time counterparts. A controller working three days a week can expect to take home approximately $74,000 annually based on a typical 24-hour workweek. This is significantly advantageous in a profession known for its high stress and extended hours. Many controllers work overtime, often 50-60 hours a week, resulting in effective hourly compensation that frequently exceeds the established rates, with additional earnings from overtime pushing annual pay upward by $50,000 to $100,000 or more. The variety of employment types, from FAA en route centers to military air traffic control, can influence hourly pay rates and benefits. While some controllers may opt for higher hourly rates without health insurance benefits, others may choose a more stable full-time position with comprehensive benefits, affecting their overall compensation strategy. For those seeking per diem air traffic controller pay in Naperville, negotiation in areas such as overtime and training transfers can also affect take-home earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Naperville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Naperville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Naperville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov