Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Provo, UT: $86,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Provo, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $86,058 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Provo's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,725 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($148,377) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those beginning their careers in the field of air traffic control in Provo, the starting air traffic controller salary is projected to be around $86,058 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $148,377, it's important for new graduates to understand the trajectory of their earnings. Entry-level positions typically offer a pathway to higher salaries, with expectations to progress to approximately $106,831 within the first few years. Provo is currently a stable market for new graduates looking to enter this profession, given the expected growth rate of 2.57% annually, which suggests promising opportunities for career advancement and salary increase.
About the Provo Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Provo
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 Provo
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Provo, UT typically start between $86,058 and $106,831 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $134,099 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $148,377 — 2.31% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Utah of $32,000 represents just 37.18% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($86,058/year) in Provo. 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 Provo
- 1Research the Provo market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $86,058 to $106,831, 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 Provo, 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 Provo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Provo'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 Provo is $134,099 ( 155.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $86,058, experienced hygienists can earn up to $220,157.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,107
2025 BLS Actual
$83,902
2026 Current Est.
$86,058
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Provo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,107 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,846 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,905 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,792 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,902 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,270 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Provo, UT grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $73,107 in 2019 to $83,902 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,270. New graduates entering the Provo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Provo 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 Provo
Understanding potential employers and continuing education can significantly influence new grad air traffic controller pay in UT. The FAA is the primary recruiter for air traffic controllers in Provo, often hiring through 'off-the-street' announcements and partnerships with universities in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). To qualify, applicants must meet specific requirements, such as US citizenship and successful completion of the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). While the initial training period at the FAA Academy typically spans 3-5 months, career advancement is contingent on facility-specific training that can take up to three additional years. In these early years, controllers not only gain invaluable experience but may also expect their pay to increase notably with overtime opportunities, particularly in high-demand facilities, contrasting with the initial starting pay and setting the foundation for long-term career success in this essential field.
More salary data for Provo, 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 Provo. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Provo 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