Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cedar City, UT: $85,265 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Cedar City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,265 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,916 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($147,009) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cedar City presents a promising opportunity for those entering the air traffic control field in 2026, with an entry-level air traffic controller salary projected at $85,265. While this figure might seem modest when compared to the city median salary of $147,009, new graduates can expect substantial growth in their earnings over the first few years of their careers. Starting at the lower end, entry-level controllers can potentially reach the $108,932 mark within a few years, leveraging their experience to bridge the income gap with the median. Given the ongoing demand for air traffic controllers and the growth trajectory, Cedar City is a favorable market for aspiring controllers right now, especially as the field continues to evolve.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar City
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 Cedar City
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Cedar City, UT typically start between $85,265 and $108,932 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,809 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $147,009 — 3.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Utah of $32,000 represents just 37.53% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($85,265/year) in Cedar City. 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 Cedar City
- 1Research the Cedar City market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $85,265 to $108,932, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar City, 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 Cedar City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar City's moderate 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 Cedar City is $116,809 ( 137.00%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,265, experienced hygienists can earn up to $202,074.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,433
2025 BLS Actual
$83,129
2026 Current Est.
$85,265
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,765 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,103 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,265 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,457 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar City, UT grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,433 in 2019 to $83,129 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,457. New graduates entering the Cedar City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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 Cedar City
In Cedar City, prospective air traffic controllers will typically find opportunities through the FAA, which oversees the recruitment of new graduates via methods such as Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships and public bid windows for 'off-the-street' hiring. It’s essential for newcomers to understand that meeting requirements for employment includes being a U.S. citizen, passing the FAA’s Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test, and successfully completing FAA Academy training, which lasts about 3-5 months. Once hired, controllers enter a pathway to full certification that may take several years, balancing on-the-job training with mandatory medical tests. To maximize their initial compensation, new graduates should engage in ongoing education and consider volunteering for overtime work, especially as the FAA continues to contend with staffing challenges. These factors contribute to a realistic expectation of salary progression and job stability within the FAA framework over the first few years of service in Cedar City.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
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 Cedar City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar City 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