Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Liberal, KS: $73,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Liberal, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,362 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Liberal's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,706 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,885) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those newly entering the air traffic control field in Liberal, Kansas in 2026, the starting air traffic controller salary reflects a promising yet modest beginning. With a salary pegged at $73,362 for entry-level positions, new graduates might find this initial pay lower than the city's median of $123,885, creating a notable gap. However, there's potential for growth as experience builds, moving from entry-level pay to $92,220 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching median earnings within the first three to five years. The Liberal market currently presents a unique opportunity for new recruits looking to start their careers in air traffic control, as the area employs a small number of controllers, which may foster a tight-knit professional community and supportive work environment.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Liberal
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Liberal, KS typically start between $73,362 and $92,220 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $101,739 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,885 — 18.44% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Kansas of $28,000 represents just 38.17% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($73,362/year) in Liberal. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Liberal
- 1Research the Liberal market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $73,362 to $92,220, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Liberal, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Liberal for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Liberal's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Liberal is $101,739 ( 138.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,362, experienced hygienists can earn up to $175,101.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,321
2025 BLS Actual
$71,524
2026 Current Est.
$73,362
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,321 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,559 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,384 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,524 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,248 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Liberal, KS grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,321 in 2019 to $71,524 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,248. New graduates entering the Liberal job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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.
Starting Your aviation Career in Liberal
To secure a position in Liberal, new grads should seek opportunities through the FAA, which conducts hiring events and maintains partnerships with select universities for its Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. Candidates need to be under age 31 unless they are military veterans, and they must meet several eligibility criteria including holding a bachelor's degree or having three years of progressive job experience. After passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), new controllers will undergo training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, which is a paid process followed by facility-specific training lasting one to three years. Although starting salaries may seem modest, this profession offers significant upward mobility, especially for those who work in high-volume centers where pay can vastly increase. Realistic salary growth for those in their first three years in the Kansas market can lead to increased earnings due to regular adjustments and opportunities for overtime available to address staffing shortages. The long-term career potential is particularly appealing, as controllers can achieve base salaries well into six figures, especially in larger metropolitan areas.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Liberal. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Liberal 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