Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $63.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $63.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,079 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,249 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earn a median hourly pay of $63.50, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02. This hourly compensation reflects the profession’s pay scale in various settings, including en route center radar consoles and airport traffic control towers. With an entry-level hourly rate starting around $36.83 and top earners making up to $94.04 per hour, aspiring controllers can find diverse opportunities in this field. The pay rates, although sourced from annual salary estimations, highlight the profession's lucrative potential, especially for part-time or per-diem workers who typically operate in environments such as FAA Academy classrooms or TRACON facilities near major airports. These factors contribute to the overall appeal of air traffic controller hourly pay in Cedar Rapids.
About the Cedar Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.83 | $294.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.72 | $365.72 |
| Median (P50) | $63.50 | $508.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.28 | $650.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.04 | $752.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $63.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.50/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA can expect to earn approximately $132,082 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,201. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,540.04 | $11,007 | $132,082 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,524.03 | $6,604 | $79,249 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,016.02 | $4,403 | $52,833 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Cedar Rapids) | $63.50 |
| 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 Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $132,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the Iowa state average of $132,877.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.50/hr = $79,249/year (purchasing power: $87,665).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,082/year (purchasing power: $146,109).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Cedar Rapids grew 20.4% from $51.42/hr (2019) to $61.91/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.13/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 Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids
Examining part-time opportunities, an air traffic controller working just 24 hours a week can expect to take home a salary that differs significantly from a full-time counterpart. Per-diem air traffic controller pay in Cedar Rapids often becomes lucrative, particularly when factoring in overtime. Many controllers at facilities heavily rely on overtime hours, enabling some to exceed base pay with earnings that can reach $50k-$100k in additional compensation annually. Various employers, from FAA's en route centers to military installations, offer differing pay scales, often reflecting the challenges of understaffed environments and the need for long hours. It’s crucial for controllers to weigh hourly rates against benefits, especially when deciding between potentially higher hourly rates without health insurance or lower rates that include comprehensive benefits. Additionally, practical negotiation strategies can help hourly workers secure better pay within Cedar Rapids' unique air traffic control space.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
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 Cedar Rapids. 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 Cedar Rapids 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