Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tooele, UT: $85,125 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Tooele, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,125 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tooele's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,774 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($146,350) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The starting air traffic controller salary in Tooele, UT, is projected to be $85,125 in 2026, marking a significant gap from the median annual salary of $146,350 in the city. New graduates can expect a gradual increase in pay during their initial years, with entry-level professionals likely progressing to a P25 salary of $107,630 as they gain experience. Tooele provides a solid foundation for new air traffic control graduates, as the market shows prospective growth at 2.57% annually, making it an attractive option for individuals looking to enter this field. Despite a median salary that slightly lags behind the national average of $151,886, the path toward financial advancement remains promising, particularly if new hires harness the opportunities for overtime and advancement within the FAA's structure.
About the Tooele Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tooele
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 Tooele
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Tooele, UT typically start between $85,125 and $107,630 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $128,581 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $146,350 — 3.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Utah of $32,000 represents just 37.59% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($85,125/year) in Tooele. 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 Tooele
- 1Research the Tooele market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $85,125 to $107,630, 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 Tooele, 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 Tooele for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tooele'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 Tooele is $128,581 ( 151.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,125, experienced hygienists can earn up to $213,706.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,314
2025 BLS Actual
$82,992
2026 Current Est.
$85,125
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tooele (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,002 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,632 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,125 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,313 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Tooele, UT grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,314 in 2019 to $82,992 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,313. New graduates entering the Tooele job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tooele 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 Tooele
In Tooele, the hiring landscape primarily hinges on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which looks for new air traffic controllers through various recruitment pathways, including the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and 'off-the-street' hiring announcements. Candidates typically must be under 31 years of age unless they are military veterans to be eligible for these positions. To enhance their starting pay in Utah, new controllers should focus on obtaining a bachelor's degree or relevant experience while preparing for the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). The FAA Academy in Oklahoma City offers crucial training, and subsequent facility-specific training can take an additional 1-3 years. In the first three years, salary growth expectations should remain steady, with entry-level controllers eventually reaching higher pay tiers, especially in larger en route facilities noted for their compensation structures which can exceed $200,000 with overtime and shift differentials.
More salary data for Tooele, 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 Tooele. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tooele 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