Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Huber Heights, OH: $78,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Huber Heights, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,655 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Huber Heights's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,720 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($135,611) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For new graduates entering the air traffic controller field in Huber Heights, the entry-level air traffic controller salary is projected to start at approximately $78,655 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city's 2026 median salary of $135,611, it marks the beginning of a promising career trajectory. Over the initial years of employment, new controllers can anticipate their earnings to rise as they gain experience and achieve qualifications. By progressing to the 25th percentile, salaries could reach around $97,639, and as controllers refine their skills and advance, many will eventually align with or surpass the median salary over the first five years. Given the growth trajectory in this market and the ongoing demand for controllers, Huber Heights presents a viable opportunity for fresh graduates eager to enter this critical industry.
About the Huber Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Huber Heights
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 Huber Heights
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Huber Heights, OH typically start between $78,655 and $97,639 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,140 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $135,611 — 10.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Ohio of $38,000 represents just 48.31% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($78,655/year) in Huber Heights. 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 Huber Heights
- 1Research the Huber Heights market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $78,655 to $97,639, 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 Huber Heights, 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 Huber Heights for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Huber Heights'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 Huber Heights is $107,140 ( 136.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,655, experienced hygienists can earn up to $185,795.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,817
2025 BLS Actual
$76,684
2026 Current Est.
$78,655
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Huber Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,817 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,149 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,289 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,961 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,503 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,684 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,676 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Huber Heights, OH grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,817 in 2019 to $76,684 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,676. New graduates entering the Huber Heights job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huber Heights 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 Huber Heights
Employers in Huber Heights, such as the FAA, actively seek out individuals qualified for entry-level air traffic controller positions through various hiring pathways, including off-the-street announcements and the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). Candidates must be under age 31 unless they are military veterans. Credentials are essential, as applicants need to complete the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA) and possess either a bachelor’s degree or three years of relevant work experience. Successful candidates undergo Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy, which is compensated, followed by further facility-specific training lasting from one to three years. While the starting air traffic controller pay in Ohio may lag behind the national median, the potential for rapid salary growth in a region where controllers can eventually earn significantly more—especially in higher-tier facilities—is worth pursuing. With the FAA experiencing ongoing staffing shortages since the 2013 sequester, new graduates can expect to find ample opportunities for overtime, boosting their earnings during the crucial first years of their careers.
More salary data for Huber Heights, OH:
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 Huber Heights. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huber Heights 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