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Air Traffic Controllers Employment & Job Outlook in Illinois (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Illinois employs 990 Air Traffic Controllers professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
990
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
0.99
workers
Location Quotient
1.99
vs national avg
Average Salary
$164K
annual

High Demand in Illinois

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.99 indicates that Illinois has a higher-than-average concentration of Air Traffic Controllers professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Illinois vs National Average

Total Employed
990
National: 20,850
4.7% of national
Jobs per 1,000
0.99
National: 0.5
+98.0%
Average Salary
$164K
National: $132K
+24.0%

Top States by Air Traffic Controllers Employment

#1
2,290
2,290
employed
#2
2,060
2,060
employed
#3
1,950
1,950
employed
#4
1,150
1,150
employed
#5
1,120
1,120
employed
#6
990
990
employed
#7
970
970
employed
#8
820
820
employed
#9
740
740
employed
#10
680
680
employed

What Does a Air Traffic Controllers Earn in Illinois?

The average annual salary for a Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois is $164,200. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Air Traffic Controllers jobs are there in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 990 Air Traffic Controllers professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Illinois among the top states nationwide.

Is Air Traffic Controllers in demand in Illinois?

Yes — Illinois has above-average concentration of Air Traffic Controllers jobs (LQ: 1.99). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois?

The average (mean) salary for Air Traffic Controllers in Illinois is $164200/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Air Traffic Controllers professionals?

The top state for Air Traffic Controllers employment is California with 2,290 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in Illinois

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Top Colleges in Illinois

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Illinois's leading institutions.

Air Traffic Controllers Employment in Other States

Compare Air Traffic Controllers labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Air Traffic Controllers & Illinois Resources

Drill deeper into Air Traffic Controllers pay, hiring, and education data for Illinois.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 532021) in Illinois.

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