Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Las Vegas, NV: $98,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Las Vegas, NV job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $98,498 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Las Vegas's local price level (BEA RPP 100.2 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $98,287 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($159,496) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the air traffic control profession in Las Vegas can lead to lucrative opportunities, with starting salaries in 2026 projected at around $98,498 for entry-level positions. This figure represents a significant step on the career path, especially when considering the median annual salary for air traffic controllers in the city is expected to reach $159,496. New graduates can anticipate a growth trajectory that moves from the starting salary up towards the 25th percentile, where earnings may increase to approximately $123,207 within the first few years. With the city’s strong job market and the steady demand for controllers, Las Vegas is emerging as an attractive option for aspiring professionals in the field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Las Vegas
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 Las Vegas
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Las Vegas, NV typically start between $98,498 and $123,207 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,806 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $159,496 — 5.01% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Nevada of $35,000 represents just 35.53% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($98,498/year) in Las Vegas. 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 Las Vegas
- 1Research the Las Vegas market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $98,498 to $123,207, 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 NV often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Las Vegas'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 Las Vegas is $106,806 ( 108.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $98,498, experienced hygienists can earn up to $205,304.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,440
2025 BLS Actual
$96,030
2026 Current Est.
$98,498
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Las Vegas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,029 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Las Vegas, NV grew 15.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $83,440 in 2019 to $96,030 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $101,029. New graduates entering the Las Vegas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary employer of new graduates, actively recruiting through various avenues, including periodic hiring announcements that focus on candidates under 31 years of age unless they are military veterans. Graduates who have completed programs under the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) can also find advantageous pathways into positions with the FAA. To enhance starting air traffic controller pay in NV, candidates must meet essential requirements such as US citizenship, completing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and undergoing Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy. Within the first three years, controllers typically see incremental salary increases as they progress from trainee roles to certified professional controller (CPC) positions, especially if they work at high-demand facilities. Given the current staffing shortages that have led to increased overtime opportunities, new entrants into this profession may find themselves moving quickly through pay scales while also navigating job stability and potential career advancement that comes from the impending retirement of senior controllers at age 56.
More salary data for Las Vegas, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Las Vegas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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