Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Michigan City, IN: $63.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Michigan City, IN runs $63.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,880 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Michigan City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,134 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Michigan City, Indiana, the air traffic controller hourly pay is projected to be $63.41 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This discrepancy reflects the local economic context, where the cost of living is below the national average, as indicated by a cost of living index of 91.3. For part-time air traffic controllers, working a typical schedule of three days per week, the earnings can accumulate to a notable amount, though still not on par with the national average. Entry-level controllers in this region may start at approximately $36.77 per hour, with experienced professionals capable of reaching as high as $88.78 per hour depending on their level of expertise and responsibilities. This hourly pay structure gives a clear sense of the diverse career paths and employment settings available to air traffic controllers in Michigan City, from windowless control rooms to vibrant airport traffic control towers.
About the Michigan City 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) | $36.77 | $294.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.65 | $365.23 |
| Median (P50) | $63.41 | $507.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.15 | $649.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.78 | $710.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Michigan City
Based on $63.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.41/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Michigan City, IN can expect to earn approximately $131,890 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,091. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Michigan City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Michigan City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,536.35 | $10,991 | $131,890 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,521.81 | $6,595 | $79,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.54 | $4,396 | $52,756 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Michigan City) | $63.41 |
| 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 Michigan City, IN earn a median of $131,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.17% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.90% below the Indiana state average of $138,676.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.41/hr = $79,134/year (purchasing power: $86,675).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,890/year (purchasing power: $144,458).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Michigan City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Michigan City grew 20.4% from $51.35/hr (2019) to $61.82/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.04/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 Michigan 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Michigan City
Understanding the financial dynamics of part-time work in this field reveals quite a different picture. An air traffic controller working part-time for 24 hours a week could take home around $49,792 annually, starkly contrasting with full-time counterparts who may significantly enhance their income through overtime opportunities. Many air traffic controllers in Michigan City experience scheduled overtime, often working 50-60 hours a week, which can drive their effective hourly compensation well above their base rates. Per diem roles, often tied to facility transfer trainings, offer additional flexibility and, sometimes, enhanced rates negotiated alongside training periods. Employment types further influence hourly wages; for instance, FAA en route centers may pay differently than airport traffic control towers or military branches. Controllers must navigate their benefits carefully, weighing lower hourly rates with comprehensive health insurance against potentially higher pay that lacks such benefits. Practical negotiation skills can be essential here, whether discussing pay at FAA contract towers or government-run facilities, factoring in the chronic understaffing that often leads to increased overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Michigan City, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Michigan City in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Michigan City. 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 Michigan 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