Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Moorhead, MN: $83,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Moorhead, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,452 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moorhead's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,723 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($143,883) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates diving into the air traffic control field in Moorhead, Minnesota, the entry-level salary expectations in 2026 are realistic yet require ambition. With a starting pay of $83,452, beginners can anticipate a considerable gap between this figure and the city’s median salary of $143,883. However, there is a promising growth trajectory within the first few years, as salaries can progress from the initial $83,452 to approximately $105,311, and eventually reach the median as experience accumulates. Given current market conditions and the ongoing demand for controllers, Moorhead represents a solid opportunity for fresh graduates aiming to establish their careers in a well-compensated field, especially as the 2.57% growth rate suggests a stable outlook for air traffic control positions.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moorhead
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 Moorhead
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Moorhead, MN typically start between $83,452 and $105,311 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $125,847 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $143,883 — 5.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Minnesota of $42,000 represents just 50.33% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($83,452/year) in Moorhead. 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 Moorhead
- 1Research the Moorhead market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $83,452 to $105,311, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moorhead, 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 Moorhead for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moorhead's moderate 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 Moorhead is $125,847 ( 150.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,452, experienced hygienists can earn up to $209,299.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,893
2025 BLS Actual
$81,361
2026 Current Est.
$83,452
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,489 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,047 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,597 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Moorhead, MN grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,893 in 2019 to $81,361 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,597. New graduates entering the Moorhead job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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 Moorhead
Moorhead’s job market for new air traffic controllers is primarily influenced by the FAA, which recruits through avenues such as public job announcements and the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program involving partner universities. The FAA Academy offers paid training, which is a crucial advantage as new entrants can secure their position without incurring significant educational debt. Aspiring controllers must meet a series of requirements—including US citizenship and completion of the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA)—to qualify for entry-level roles. Furthermore, career advancement potential within this federal framework remains robust; controllers can start with satisfactory entry salaries and aim for higher-tier facilities, which can offer total compensation reaching between $200,000 and $300,000 annually through overtime and differentials. Realistic salary expectations indicate that early-career professionals in Moorhead can look to grow significantly in their first one to three years, given the ever-present need for efficient management of air traffic and the need for experienced personnel in the sector.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
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 Moorhead. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moorhead 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