Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Wooster, OH: $77,700 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Wooster, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,700 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wooster's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,667 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,312) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
While pursuing a career as an air traffic controller in Wooster, Ohio, new graduates can anticipate a starting air traffic controller salary of approximately $77,700 in 2026. For those entering the field, it's crucial to understand that this entry-level position sits considerably below the city's median annual salary of $133,312. However, there is a clear growth path to consider; within the first few years, a dedicated controller can expect to advance to the 25th percentile earning around $98,575, and ultimately approach the median salary as they gain experience. The overall job market in Wooster can be favorable for new graduates, making it an appealing starting point for those entering this profession.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wooster
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 Wooster
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Wooster, OH typically start between $77,700 and $98,575 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $113,429 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,312 — 12.23% 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 ($77,700/year) in Wooster. 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 Wooster
- 1Research the Wooster market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $77,700 to $98,575, 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 Wooster, 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 Wooster for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wooster'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 Wooster is $113,429 ( 145.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,700, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,129.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,006
2025 BLS Actual
$75,753
2026 Current Est.
$77,700
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,006 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,285 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,087 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,599 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,198 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,700 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,697 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Wooster, OH grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,006 in 2019 to $75,753 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,697. New graduates entering the Wooster job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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 Wooster
In Wooster, the primary employer seeking new air traffic controllers is the FAA, which recruits through various avenues, including off-the-street hiring and partnerships with educational institutions under the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). Applicants typically must be under the age of 31 unless they are military veterans. To enhance their initial compensation, prospective controllers should aim to meet all FAA requirements—specifically, they need to be U.S. citizens, pass the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test, and undergo Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy. Furthermore, controllers complete facility-specific training that can take 1-3 years for certification as a fully qualified controller. With the FAA's established pay scales in mind, realistic salary growth expectations for new graduates in the first one to three years can range significantly based on location and facility type, especially considering the ongoing demand for air traffic controllers post-2013 sequester, resulting in ample opportunities for overtime.
More salary data for Wooster, 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 Wooster. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wooster 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