Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Franklin, IN: $65.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Franklin, IN runs $65.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,325 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,797 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay for an air traffic controller is $65.54, which falls below the national median of $73.02. For part-time controllers working three days a week, this translates into a significant earning potential while balancing professional and personal commitments. Controllers in Franklin can expect to earn between $38.01 at the entry level to $91.78 for the top tier of the pay scale. Operating in various environments, whether in an en route center, TRACON, or airport tower, these hourly rates reflect estimates derived from annual salary figures for air traffic controllers across the region. Per diem opportunities also exist for those looking to enhance their earnings while maintaining flexible schedules.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.01 | $304.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.19 | $377.54 |
| Median (P50) | $65.54 | $524.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.07 | $664.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.78 | $734.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $65.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.54/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, IN can expect to earn approximately $136,328 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,651. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,621.69 | $11,361 | $136,328 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,573.01 | $6,816 | $81,797 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,048.68 | $4,544 | $54,531 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Franklin) | $65.54 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Franklin, IN earn a median of $136,325 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.25% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.70% below the Indiana state average of $138,682.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.54/hr = $81,797/year (purchasing power: $89,591).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,328/year (purchasing power: $149,319).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Franklin grew 20.4% from $53.07/hr (2019) to $63.90/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Franklin
For air traffic controllers working part-time, a typical schedule of 24 hours per week results in an approximate annual income that allows for a comfortable lifestyle, albeit less than full-time colleagues. The per diem system is particularly appealing, as controllers can negotiate pay while engaging in training or transitioning between facilities. Often, controllers find themselves working overtime, sometimes racking up 50 to 60 hours a week, potentially pushing their effective hourly compensation significantly higher than their base rates due to the added overtime pay. In Franklin, different employer types offer varied benefits; for instance, FAA en route centers and FAA contract towers present distinct trade-offs between hourly pay and health insurance benefits. Controllers are encouraged to carefully assess these dynamics based on personal and financial needs, as negotiating hourly pay can lead to better compensation, especially in this region sensitive to industry demands and workforce shortages.
More salary data for Franklin, IN:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Franklin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin 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