Air Traffic Controller Salary

Orem vs Taylorsville: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between Orem, UT and Taylorsville, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orem, UT
$145,957
$70.17/hr
Taylorsville, UT
$145,226
$69.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrem, UTTaylorsville, UT
Median Salary$145,957$145,226
Hourly Rate$70.17$69.82
Entry Level (P10)$84,655$84,230
25th Percentile$105,089$104,563
75th Percentile$186,825$185,889
Top Earner (P90)$218,672$210,839
Total Employed2412
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orem ($145,957) and Taylorsville ($145,226) air traffic controller salaries.OremTaylorsvilleMedian Salary$145,957$145,226Entry Level (P10)$84,655$84,230Top Earner (P90)$218,672$210,839US Median $151,886

Verdict

Orem, UT offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Taylorsville.

The salary gap between Orem and Taylorsville is $731 (0.50%). Orem's median is -3.90% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orem spans $134,017,Taylorsville spans $126,609. Orem has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Orem
P10 (Entry)$84,655
P25$105,089
Median$145,957
P75$186,825
P90 (Top)$218,672
Taylorsville
P10 (Entry)$84,230
P25$104,563
Median$145,226
P75$185,889
P90 (Top)$210,839

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orem ($148,784 effective) pays 0.50% more than Taylorsville ($148,039 effective).

Orem
Nominal: $145,957
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $148,784
Taylorsville
Nominal: $145,226
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $148,039

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orem if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($218,672)
  • Larger job market (24 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,784)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Taylorsville if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Orem, UT

+12.2%

$126,848 (2024) → $142,300 (2025)

Taylorsville, UT

+12.2%

$126,213 (2024) → $141,587 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: Orem or Taylorsville?

Orem has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $145,957/year, compared to Taylorsville at $145,226/year — a difference of $731 (0.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orem and Taylorsville?

Orem air traffic controllers earn $70.17/hr while Taylorsville hygienists earn $69.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orem to Taylorsville as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orem and Taylorsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orem = $148,784, Taylorsville = $148,039), job availability (24 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in Orem vs Taylorsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $84,655 in Orem and $84,230 in Taylorsville. The Orem 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