Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Perrysburg, OH: $78,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Perrysburg, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,218 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Perrysburg's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,238 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,231) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a new graduate stepping into an air traffic controller role in Perrysburg, Ohio, can expect a starting salary around $78,218. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $129,231, indicating a considerable gap that entry-level positions face. However, the trajectory for salary growth is promising, as new graduates typically progress through the percentile brackets within their first three to five years, moving from the starting pay to potentially reaching $97,120 at the 25th percentile. For aspiring controllers in Perrysburg, the local job market appears favorable, with the potential for salary increases aligning with experience and the ongoing need for air traffic professionals in a field experiencing growth at a rate of 2.57% annually.
About the Perrysburg Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Perrysburg
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 Perrysburg
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Perrysburg, OH typically start between $78,218 and $97,120 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $101,097 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,231 — 14.92% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Ohio of $38,000 represents just 48.58% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($78,218/year) in Perrysburg. 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 Perrysburg
- 1Research the Perrysburg market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $78,218 to $97,120, 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 Perrysburg, 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 Perrysburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Perrysburg'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 Perrysburg is $101,097 ( 129.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,218, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,315.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,446
2025 BLS Actual
$76,258
2026 Current Est.
$78,218
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Perrysburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,446 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,754 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,898 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,561 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,089 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,583 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,258 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,228 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Perrysburg, OH grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,446 in 2019 to $76,258 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,228. New graduates entering the Perrysburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Perrysburg 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 Perrysburg
Employment opportunities for new air traffic controllers are offered primarily by the FAA, which recruits fresh talent through public bid windows for “off-the-street” hiring and partnerships with colleges via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). Candidates must be under 31 years old unless they have military veteran status, a factor to consider for many new graduates. To boost starting air traffic controller pay in Ohio, obtaining relevant credentials is essential, including US citizenship, relevant education, and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test. After completing Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy, controllers undergo facility-specific training, which can take 1-3 years for certification. Given that controllers often work within the FG pay scale, early-career professionals should strategize to navigate initial salary negotiations carefully while anticipating that the critical juncture after several years could lead to positions at high-paying en route facilities, where total earnings with overtime can surge well above $200,000 annually.
More salary data for Perrysburg, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Perrysburg in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Perrysburg?
Is aviation school worth it in Perrysburg?
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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 Perrysburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Perrysburg 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