Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $61.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $61.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,275 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,971 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $61.68, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02. This pay scale positions controllers well for both part-time opportunities, where those working three days a week could earn a substantial hourly income, and per-diem roles, which are prevalent in various settings such as en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport towers. With an hourly rate range from $35.77 for entry-level positions to $88.42 for the most skilled controllers, those in Council Bluffs can expect to earn competitive wages in a context where the demand for air traffic control services continues to grow. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, providing a clear understanding of what controllers can expect in terms of compensation based on their experience and the facility type.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $35.77 | $286.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.40 | $355.22 |
| Median (P50) | $61.68 | $493.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.94 | $631.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.42 | $707.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $61.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.68/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $128,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,010. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,467.01 | $10,690 | $128,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,480.21 | $6,414 | $76,971 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $986.81 | $4,276 | $51,314 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Council Bluffs) | $61.68 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $128,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.55% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $132,790.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.68/hr = $76,971/year (purchasing power: $85,145).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,285/year (purchasing power: $141,908).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Council Bluffs grew 20.4% from $49.94/hr (2019) to $60.13/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.26/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
When considering full-time versus part-time work, a controller in Council Bluffs working a standard 24-hour week might take home a comfortable income, though the potential for significant earnings exists in overtime and agency roles. For example, many controllers find themselves working 50-60 hours weekly, collecting substantial overtime pay that can push their overall compensation well above their base hourly rates. This can lead to annual incomes ranging from $50,000 to more than $100,000 when factoring in overtime. Different employers influence hourly rates; FAA facilities typically offer stable pay and benefits, while contrarily, contract towers provide flexibility but may lack health coverage. Controllers must assess trade-offs when negotiating pay; those accepting lower hourly rates for benefits may find they quickly offset these with overtime opportunities at other facilities. Practical negotiation in this tight job market, particularly as numerous FAA locations continue experiencing understaffing, can significantly influence overall earning potential.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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