Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $61.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Urbandale, IA runs $61.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,911 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,152 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $61.02, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This disparity highlights the unique economic landscape of the area. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—they can still earn a significant income while balancing other commitments. In typical environments such as en route center radar consoles or airport traffic control towers, controllers manage air traffic efficiently even in high-pressure settings. With an hourly range that starts at $35.39 and can peak at $85.83, this profession offers potential for both entry-level positions and highly experienced controllers. It's important to remember that these figures are estimations derived from annual salary data, reflective of the labor market as we look forward to 2026.
About the Urbandale 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) | $35.39 | $283.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.18 | $353.42 |
| Median (P50) | $61.02 | $488.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.53 | $620.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.83 | $686.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $61.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.02/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $126,919 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,223. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,440.76 | $10,577 | $126,919 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,464.45 | $6,346 | $76,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $976.30 | $4,231 | $50,768 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Urbandale) | $61.02 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $126,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.44% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $132,891.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.02/hr = $76,152/year (purchasing power: $84,238).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,919/year (purchasing power: $140,397).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Urbandale grew 20.4% from $49.41/hr (2019) to $59.49/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.59/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
Air traffic controllers in Urbandale have diverse earning potentials depending on their work arrangements. For example, those in a part-time role working 24 hours a week may earn around $76,000 in annual income, which is a comfortable living, particularly considering the area's lower cost of living index. The reality of per diem air traffic controller pay in Urbandale can be even more enticing; controllers often work additional hours, sometimes clocking in 50-60 hours weekly due to chronic understaffing in the FAA, which leads to substantial overtime earnings that can significantly increase total compensation. Moreover, various employer types influence hourly rates, with federal positions at FAA en route facilities generally offering better pay compared to other employers. Some controllers may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for attractive health benefits, while others might prefer higher pay without the perks. Given the intense demand for air traffic control, especially as the industry faces inevitable retirements, negotiating pay and benefits can be a key strategy for prospective controllers in Urbandale, IA.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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