Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $64.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Sioux City, IA runs $64.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,788 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,273 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $64.32, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $73.02. This difference suggests unique market dynamics within the local air traffic control sector, which can influence part-time and per-diem opportunities. Controllers typically work in various environments, including radar facilities and control towers, with their pay reflecting a wide range of $37.30 to $91.17 per hour based on experience and agencies. Entry-level controllers can expect to start on the lower end, while highly experienced professionals may command rates approaching the upper limits of this scale. These hourly figures provide a useful baseline for understanding pay structures and employment conditions for controllers based in Sioux City.
About the Sioux City 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) | $37.30 | $298.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.31 | $370.48 |
| Median (P50) | $64.32 | $514.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.57 | $652.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.17 | $729.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $64.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.32/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $133,789 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,186. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,572.87 | $11,149 | $133,789 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,543.72 | $6,689 | $80,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,029.15 | $4,460 | $53,516 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Sioux City) | $64.32 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $133,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.92% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% above the Iowa state average of $132,858.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.32/hr = $80,273/year (purchasing power: $88,798).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,789/year (purchasing power: $147,997).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Sioux City grew 20.4% from $52.08/hr (2019) to $62.71/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.97/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 Sioux 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 Sioux City
When considering part-time work, an air traffic controller working three days a week could take home a substantial income, though less than their full-time counterparts. By working 24 hours a week, they might earn considerably more through overtime, as many full-time controllers regularly exceed 40 hours, especially given ongoing staffing shortages which often drive annual overtime compensation into the range of $50,000 to $100,000 above base pay. Local facilities, including FAA en route centers and control towers, may offer varied flexibility in hours and pay types. For those deciding between hourly pay rates, it's not uncommon for air traffic controllers in Sioux City to make trade-offs between higher immediate compensation and comprehensive benefits when evaluating job offers. By understanding the nuances of these roles, potential air traffic controllers can better negotiate terms that suit their financial needs and career goals.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Sioux 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 Sioux 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