Air Traffic Controller Salary

Eagle Mountain vs Salt Lake City: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between Eagle Mountain, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eagle Mountain, UT
$141,297
$67.93/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$165,794
$79.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEagle Mountain, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$141,297$165,794
Hourly Rate$67.93$79.71
Entry Level (P10)$81,952$78,528
25th Percentile$101,734$146,039
75th Percentile$180,861$177,569
Top Earner (P90)$197,095$196,596
Total Employed11330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eagle Mountain ($141,297) and Salt Lake City ($165,794) air traffic controller salaries.Eagle MountainSalt Lake CityMedian Salary$141,297$165,794Entry Level (P10)$81,952$78,528Top Earner (P90)$197,095$196,596US Median $151,886

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eagle Mountain.

The salary gap between Eagle Mountain and Salt Lake City is $24,497 (17.34%). Salt Lake City's median is +9.16% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eagle Mountain spans $115,143,Salt Lake City spans $118,068. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced air traffic controllers.

Eagle Mountain
P10 (Entry)$81,952
P25$101,734
Median$141,297
P75$180,861
P90 (Top)$197,095
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$78,528
P25$146,039
Median$165,794
P75$177,569
P90 (Top)$196,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($164,367 effective) pays 14.12% more than Eagle Mountain ($144,034 effective).

Eagle Mountain
Nominal: $141,297
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $144,034
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $165,794
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $164,367

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eagle Mountain if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($197,095)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,794/year)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $164,367)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, air traffic controller salaries in Eagle Mountain grew 12.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.2% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Eagle Mountain, UT

+12.2%

$122,799 (2024) → $137,757 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+16.2%

$139,110 (2021) → $161,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: Eagle Mountain or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $165,794/year, compared to Eagle Mountain at $141,297/year — a difference of $24,497 (17.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eagle Mountain and Salt Lake City?

Eagle Mountain air traffic controllers earn $67.93/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $79.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eagle Mountain to Salt Lake City as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eagle Mountain and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eagle Mountain = $144,034, Salt Lake City = $164,367), job availability (11 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in Eagle Mountain vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $81,952 in Eagle Mountain and $78,528 in Salt Lake City. The Eagle Mountain 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