Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cuyahoga Falls, OH: $80,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Cuyahoga Falls, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,213 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cuyahoga Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,438 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($138,298) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For aspiring air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, the starting air traffic controller salary in 2026 is projected to be around $80,213. New graduates entering this profession should have realistic expectations, as this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary for air traffic controllers, which stands at $138,298. However, there is a promising growth trajectory that allows entry-level professionals to elevate their earnings; within the first few years, they can expect their salaries to rise towards the P25 bracket of $99,575, moving steadily upwards as they gain experience. This market can be favorable for new graduates, especially in light of the modest growth rate of 2.57% anticipated, coupled with the opportunities offered by employers like the FAA, which actively recruits new controllers.
About the Cuyahoga Falls Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cuyahoga Falls
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 Cuyahoga Falls
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls, OH typically start between $80,213 and $99,575 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,903 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $138,298 — 8.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Ohio of $38,000 represents just 47.37% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($80,213/year) in Cuyahoga Falls. 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 Cuyahoga Falls
- 1Research the Cuyahoga Falls market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $80,213 to $99,575, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cuyahoga Falls, 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 Cuyahoga Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cuyahoga Falls'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 Cuyahoga Falls is $114,903 ( 143.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,213, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,116.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,141
2025 BLS Actual
$78,203
2026 Current Est.
$80,213
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cuyahoga Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,141 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,559 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,386 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,979 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,711 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,274 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Cuyahoga Falls, OH grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,141 in 2019 to $78,203 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,274. New graduates entering the Cuyahoga Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cuyahoga Falls 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 Cuyahoga Falls
As fresh entrants into the field, new graduates must understand the hiring landscape in Cuyahoga Falls, where the FAA is a primary employer. The FAA conducts regular recruitment cycles for new hires and has a specific age requirement for applicants, who must be under 31 years old unless they are military veterans. Many candidates enter through the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships with selected universities, ensuring they have an edge in the application process. To boost starting pay prospects in Ohio, candidates should focus on meeting essential credentials, such as U.S. citizenship, completing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and undergoing the rigorous training process at the FAA Academy. Career advancement in this field can be promising, with full Certified Professional Controller (CPC) certification potentially leading to salaries significantly exceeding the baseline starting rates within just a few years, particularly in high-tier facilities. Understanding the federal FG pay scale offers insight into long-term earning potential and the dynamics of job security, given the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the ongoing need for controllers.
More salary data for Cuyahoga Falls, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Cuyahoga Falls?
Is aviation school worth it in Cuyahoga Falls?
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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 Cuyahoga Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cuyahoga Falls 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