Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $73,044 (2026)

In this region, the primary employer for aspiring air traffic controllers is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recruits through their Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and periodic public bid windows. New candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship, under 31 years of age (unless a military veteran), and completion of the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). Credentials such as a bachelor's degree or three years of significant work experience are also essential. For those entering the workforce, the FAA provides paid Initial Qualification Training at their Academy in Oklahoma City, followed by facility-specific training. The first three years in this profession could see realistic salary progression as trainees accumulate experience and work towards becoming fully certified controllers. It's also worth considering that with a mandatory retirement age of 56, there are plenty of opportunities for career advancement. Given the chronic understaffing in the sector, driven largely by fiscal pressures post-2013, new controllers in Hopkinsville can anticipate increasing hours and overtime, which further enhances earning potential in the coming years.