Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Broken Arrow, OK: $80,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Broken Arrow, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,069 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Broken Arrow's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $90,066 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($138,051) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates seeking to begin their careers as air traffic controllers in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma can anticipate a starting salary of approximately $80,069 in 2026. This entry-level figure, while significant, represents a considerable gap from the city’s median annual salary of $138,051. Within the initial 3 to 5 years, there is a clear trajectory for financial growth, with opportunities for newly certified controllers to earn as much as $99,396 annually as they move up to the P25 bracket. Broken Arrow currently presents a favorable market for those entering the field, particularly given the continuous demand for skilled air traffic controllers amid a growing aviation sector.
About the Broken Arrow Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Broken Arrow
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 Broken Arrow
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Broken Arrow, OK typically start between $80,069 and $99,396 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $123,235 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $138,051 — 9.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Oklahoma of $28,000 represents just 34.97% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($80,069/year) in Broken Arrow. 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 Broken Arrow
- 1Research the Broken Arrow market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $80,069 to $99,396, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Broken Arrow, 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 Broken Arrow for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Broken Arrow'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 Broken Arrow is $123,235 ( 153.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,069, experienced hygienists can earn up to $203,304.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,019
2025 BLS Actual
$78,063
2026 Current Est.
$80,069
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Broken Arrow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,429 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,843 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,478 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,063 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,127 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Broken Arrow, OK grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,019 in 2019 to $78,063 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,127. New graduates entering the Broken Arrow job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Broken Arrow 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 Broken Arrow
Governmental hiring practices are pivotal for new air traffic controller candidates in Broken Arrow. The FAA employs various pathways, including the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships with universities, which facilitate entry for recent graduates. Additionally, the FAA actively recruits through public bid windows targeting applicants under 31 unless they are military veterans. Enhancing credentials, such as obtaining a relevant bachelor’s degree or acquiring 3 years of progressive work experience, can significantly influence new grad air traffic controller pay in OK. Recent entrants should strategically leverage the rigorous training pipeline, which includes Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy and specific facility training lasting 1 to 3 years. With federal employees being compensated on the FG pay scale, controllers can anticipate significant earnings growth as they gain experience—especially at premier en route facilities, where total compensation can exceed $200,000 with overtime. Realistically, those starting in Broken Arrow can expect solid wage advancement, illustrating that the air traffic control profession remains a robust career choice despite initial entry-level challenges.
More salary data for Broken Arrow, OK:
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 Broken Arrow. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Broken Arrow 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