Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Plainfield, IN: $65.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Plainfield, IN runs $65.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,035 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Plainfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,219 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Plainfield, Indiana, earn a median hourly rate of $65.88, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02 per hour. This rate allows part-time controllers, working an average of three days per week, to make a competitive income while managing their schedules. The typical work settings include en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers, where controllers thrive in varying environments, from bustling urban airports to quieter regional settings. For those just starting, entry-level controllers can expect an hourly pay around $38.21, while seasoned professionals at the top of their careers can earn as high as $90.76 per hour. It's essential to recognize that these figures are calculated from the projected annual salaries for 2026 based on 2025 BLS data.
About the Plainfield 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) | $38.21 | $305.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.95 | $391.57 |
| Median (P50) | $65.88 | $527.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.39 | $659.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.76 | $726.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plainfield
Based on $65.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.88/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plainfield, IN can expect to earn approximately $137,032 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,057. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Plainfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plainfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,635.23 | $11,419 | $137,032 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,581.14 | $6,852 | $82,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,054.09 | $4,568 | $54,813 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Plainfield) | $65.88 |
| 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 Plainfield, IN earn a median of $137,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.78% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% below the Indiana state average of $138,699.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.88/hr = $82,219/year (purchasing power: $90,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,032/year (purchasing power: $150,090).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Plainfield grew 20.4% from $53.35/hr (2019) to $64.23/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.57/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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield
Exploring the earning potential of part-time air traffic controllers in Plainfield reveals significant differences in annual take-home pay compared to their full-time counterparts. Working a standard 24-hour week could yield a comfortable salary, albeit much less than full-time controllers who often command higher annual compensation through mandatory overtime. Controllers in understaffed facilities frequently exceed the 40-hour threshold, bringing in considerable overtime pay, leading to annual incomes of $50,000-$100,000 more than base salaries. Additionally, the environment varies with different employer types, such as the FAA’s ARTCCs and TRACONs, which could influence hourly rates and benefits packages. While higher hourly rates at FAA contract towers may lack traditional benefits, government positions often deliver health insurance, creating a trade-off for many controllers. Understanding how to negotiate these terms effectively can make a significant difference in long-term financial security for air traffic controllers in Plainfield.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 Plainfield. 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 Plainfield 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