Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Richfield, MN: $83,580 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Richfield, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,580 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Richfield's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,853 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($144,104) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting off in air traffic control within Richfield, Minnesota, new graduates can expect an entry-level salary around $83,580 in 2026. While this figure is below the local median annual salary of $144,104, it represents a clear pathway for career progression, particularly over the first three to five years. Graduates moving from the entry-level position can anticipate a salary increase as they gain experience, with opportunities to advance to the 25th percentile salary of $105,739. Given Richfield's current job market, there’s promise for new air traffic controllers to find positions that allow for significant growth, especially as the industry anticipates a demand for more personnel as controllers near retirement.
About the Richfield Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Richfield
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 Richfield
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Richfield, MN typically start between $83,580 and $105,739 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,724 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $144,104 — 5.12% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Minnesota of $42,000 represents just 50.25% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($83,580/year) in Richfield. 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 Richfield
- 1Research the Richfield market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $83,580 to $105,739, 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 Richfield, 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 Richfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Richfield'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 Richfield is $121,724 ( 145.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,580, experienced hygienists can earn up to $205,304.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,002
2025 BLS Actual
$81,486
2026 Current Est.
$83,580
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Richfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,002 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,605 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,169 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,580 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,728 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Richfield, MN grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,002 in 2019 to $81,486 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,728. New graduates entering the Richfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richfield 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 Richfield
In Richfield, the pathway to becoming an air traffic controller is often facilitated through the FAA. The agency periodically recruits new controllers through public bid windows, typically aimed at individuals under the age of 31, except for military veterans who may have different pathways available. Establishing credentials like US citizenship, a relevant degree, and passing the FAA’s Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test are essential for jumping into this role. Once hired, paths to advancement begin with the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, where trainees undergo rigorous initial qualification training. Given that air traffic controllers operate on the FG pay scale, starting salaries may seem modest at first, but with the industry’s ongoing staffing shortages and an inevitable mandatory retirement age of 56, salary growth can lead to substantial earnings, particularly for those who excel and reach certification as a full CPC. In this specific Richfield market, initial pay is competitive and prepared for upward trends, supporting a sustainable career in air traffic control.
More salary data for Richfield, 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 Richfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richfield 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