Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Garden City, KS: $63.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Garden City, KS runs $63.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,640 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,981 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, Kansas, air traffic controllers command an hourly median pay of $63.29, which is lower than the national hourly median of $73.02. This pay scale has implications for part-time controllers, who may work schedules of three days a week and still generate significant income, albeit at a reduced rate compared to their full-time counterparts. The hourly compensation varies widely, with entry-level positions earning around $36.71 and top earners, or those in management or specialized roles, potentially raking in up to $87.39 per hour. Working environments in this line of duty can vary from radar consoles in windowless control rooms to bustling airport towers with expansive views, creating a unique atmosphere conducive to this profession's demands.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.71 | $293.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.57 | $364.57 |
| Median (P50) | $63.29 | $506.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.78 | $646.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.39 | $699.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $63.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.29/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, KS can expect to earn approximately $131,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,943. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,531.43 | $10,970 | $131,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,518.86 | $6,582 | $78,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,012.57 | $4,388 | $52,654 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Garden City) | $63.29 |
| 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 Garden City, KS earn a median of $131,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.33% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $132,836.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.29/hr = $78,981/year (purchasing power: $86,887).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,634/year (purchasing power: $144,812).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Garden City grew 20.4% from $51.25/hr (2019) to $61.70/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.91/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 Garden 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 Garden City
For those in Garden City considering the air traffic controller path, part-time roles can yield a lucrative annual income even while working fewer hours. In a typical three-day work week, a controller could take home a substantial salary without the commitment of full-time hours. Moreover, per diem air traffic controller pay in Garden City can significantly enhance earnings, especially for controllers working overtime—a reality in many facilities where workloads often exceed 40 hours per week. For instance, controllers frequently earn time-and-a-half for their overtime hours, sometimes making their effective hourly compensation much higher than the base rates suggest. Additionally, hourly rates may fluctuate based on the workplace—FAA en route centers tend to offer different pay scales compared to military or contract towers. The decision to prioritize a lower hourly rate that includes benefits versus a higher hourly rate without insurance coverage can also shape individual financial outcomes. Negotiating pay can be particularly critical for hourly workers, understanding the differences across employer types, and recognizing the conditions that influence compensation are key to maximizing earning potential in this sector.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
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 Garden 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 Garden 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