Air Traffic Controller Salary

Clinton Township vs Lansing: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between Clinton Township, MI and Lansing, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clinton Township, MI
$146,364
$70.36/hr
Lansing, MI
$143,346
$68.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClinton Township, MILansing, MI
Median Salary$146,364$143,346
Hourly Rate$70.36$68.92
Entry Level (P10)$84,891$83,140
25th Percentile$105,382$104,208
75th Percentile$187,346$183,482
Top Earner (P90)$213,517$217,558
Total Employed2119
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clinton Township ($146,364) and Lansing ($143,346) air traffic controller salaries.Clinton TownshipLansingMedian Salary$146,364$143,346Entry Level (P10)$84,891$83,140Top Earner (P90)$213,517$217,558US Median $151,886

Verdict

Clinton Township, MI offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lansing.

The salary gap between Clinton Township and Lansing is $3,018 (2.11%). Clinton Township's median is -3.64% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clinton Township spans $128,626,Lansing spans $134,418. Lansing has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced air traffic controllers.

Clinton Township
P10 (Entry)$84,891
P25$105,382
Median$146,364
P75$187,346
P90 (Top)$213,517
Lansing
P10 (Entry)$83,140
P25$104,208
Median$143,346
P75$183,482
P90 (Top)$217,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Clinton Township ($157,043 effective) pays 2.11% more than Lansing ($153,805 effective).

Clinton Township
Nominal: $146,364
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $157,043
Lansing
Nominal: $143,346
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $153,805

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clinton Township if…

  • Higher median salary ($146,364/year)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $157,043)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Lansing if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($217,558)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, air traffic controller salaries in Clinton Township grew 12.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.2% growth in Lansing over the same period.

Clinton Township, MI

+12.2%

$127,202 (2024) → $142,697 (2025)

Lansing, MI

+12.2%

$124,577 (2024) → $139,754 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: Clinton Township or Lansing?

Clinton Township has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $146,364/year, compared to Lansing at $143,346/year — a difference of $3,018 (2.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clinton Township and Lansing?

Clinton Township air traffic controllers earn $70.36/hr while Lansing hygienists earn $68.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clinton Township to Lansing as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clinton Township and Lansing. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clinton Township = $157,043, Lansing = $153,805), job availability (21 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in Clinton Township vs Lansing?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $84,891 in Clinton Township and $83,140 in Lansing. The Clinton Township area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Rodriguez, ATOData verified by Omar Patel, ATO

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.57% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov