Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Warren, OH: $77,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Warren, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,694 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Warren's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,660 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,954) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the air traffic control profession in Warren, Ohio, can anticipate a starting air traffic controller salary of approximately $77,694. This entry-level figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary for the area, which is projected to be $133,954, indicating a considerable gap that early-career professionals will need to bridge over time. As new controllers gain experience, they can expect their earnings to grow, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $99,832 within a few years. This upward trajectory makes Warren a viable market for new graduates pursuing FAA careers, especially given the need for fresh talent in a field that has experienced chronic understaffing in recent years.
About the Warren Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Warren
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 Warren
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Warren, OH typically start between $77,694 and $99,832 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $115,271 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,954 — 11.81% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Ohio of $38,000 represents just 48.91% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($77,694/year) in Warren. 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 Warren
- 1Research the Warren market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $77,694 to $99,832, 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 Warren, 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 Warren for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Warren'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 Warren is $115,271 ( 148.37%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,694, experienced hygienists can earn up to $192,965.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,001
2025 BLS Actual
$75,747
2026 Current Est.
$77,694
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Warren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,082 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,593 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,521 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,747 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,690 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Warren, OH grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,001 in 2019 to $75,747 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,690. New graduates entering the Warren job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Warren 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 Warren
Employers like the FAA are actively recruiting in Warren through various hiring pathways, offering opportunities to new graduates primarily via public bid announcements and partnerships with select universities under the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). It's critical for candidates to meet specific requirements such as being a U.S. citizen and applying before the age of 31, unless they are military veterans, who qualify for different pathways. To boost starting pay in Ohio, new controllers can further their qualifications through the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA) and initial training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. In the first few years on the job, leveraging training and seeking out opportunities for additional certifications will be vital for career advancement, as top-tier en route facilities can offer salaries significantly higher than the initial pay scale. With realistic salary growth expectations, new air traffic controllers can strategically position themselves for increased earnings as they progress through the ranks in what presents a challenging but rewarding career in Warren, OH.
More salary data for Warren, 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 Warren. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Warren 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