Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Zionsville, IN: $64.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Zionsville, IN runs $64.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,225 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Zionsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,941 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Zionsville, Indiana, the air traffic controller hourly pay is projected to reach $64.05 in 2026, which falls short of the national hourly median of $73.02. This hourly rate influences part-time and per-diem workers, who often find themselves operating in various settings such as en route center radar consoles and airport traffic control towers. The hourly pay structure for air traffic controllers in Zionsville ranges from $37.15 at the initial stages of a career to approximately $90.77 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from estimating the annual salaries across the profession, which provide a general framework for financial planning, especially for those considering non-full-time commitments.
About the Zionsville 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) | $37.15 | $297.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.12 | $368.92 |
| Median (P50) | $64.05 | $512.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.80 | $654.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.77 | $726.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zionsville
Based on $64.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.05/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zionsville, IN can expect to earn approximately $133,234 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,866. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zionsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zionsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,562.20 | $11,103 | $133,234 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,537.32 | $6,662 | $79,941 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.88 | $4,441 | $53,294 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Zionsville) | $64.05 |
| 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 Zionsville, IN earn a median of $133,225 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.29% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.90% below the Indiana state average of $138,632.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.05/hr = $79,941/year (purchasing power: $87,558).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,234/year (purchasing power: $145,930).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Zionsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Zionsville grew 20.4% from $51.87/hr (2019) to $62.45/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.70/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 Zionsville 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 Zionsville
For a part-time air traffic controller working a standard schedule of three days a week, the annual take-home would differ significantly from a full-time position. When looking at the reality for many in the field, per-diem options may contribute substantially to overall earnings, especially as controllers often rack up overtime hours, which are compensated at 1.5 times the base rate. This is particularly true in Zionsville, where understaffing has prompted controllers to frequently work 50-60 hours per week, adding a potential $50,000 to $100,000 in annual overtime pay. Different employer types also influence hourly pay variations; for instance, positions within FAA en route centers or TRACONs tend to have higher wages compared to smaller FAA contract towers. Negotiating hourly rates may often come down to the benefits offered, with some opting for lower rates in exchange for substantial health insurance packages. Understanding this dynamic is essential for anyone contemplating a career as an air traffic controller in Zionsville, especially when considering their long-term financial outlook.
More salary data for Zionsville, 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 Zionsville. 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 Zionsville 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