Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Gardner, KS: $59.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Gardner, KS runs $59.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,175 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Gardner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,911 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For air traffic controllers in Gardner, KS, the estimated hourly pay stands at $59.22 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $73.02 per hour. For part-time controllers working three days a week, or in per-diem roles at various facilities—like en route centers, TRACONs, and airport control towers—this hourly rate provides a stable income option while minimizing full-time commitment. Entry-level air traffic controllers earn around $34.75 per hour which gradually scales to high-end earners obtaining up to $83.07 hourly. The hourly salary estimates derived from annual data reflect the intense responsibilities these professionals bear, often operating in high-pressure environments that require unwavering attention and quick reaction times.
About the Gardner 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) | $34.75 | $278.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.66 | $349.31 |
| Median (P50) | $59.22 | $473.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.39 | $603.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.07 | $664.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gardner
Based on $59.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.22/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gardner, KS can expect to earn approximately $123,186 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,069. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gardner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gardner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,368.96 | $10,265 | $123,186 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,421.37 | $6,159 | $73,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $947.58 | $4,106 | $49,274 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Gardner) | $59.22 |
| 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 Gardner, KS earn a median of $123,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.90% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $132,875.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.22/hr = $73,911/year (purchasing power: $81,311).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,186/year (purchasing power: $135,518).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Gardner grew 20.4% from $47.96/hr (2019) to $57.74/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.75/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 Gardner 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 Gardner
When analyzing earning potential for air traffic controllers in Gardner, one must consider part-time arrangements, where a controller working 24 hours a week could see significantly lower annual earnings compared to full-time peers, who often clock in an average of 40 hours each week. Moreover, overtime pay transforms financial outcomes dramatically for many controllers in understaffed facilities, as they may work upwards of 50-60 hours a week, earning 1.5 times their base rate. Controllers at various facility types such as FAA en route centers and contract towers in Gardner may experience variations in pay grade due to different employer benefit packages. Interestingly, some controllers may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance benefits, something typically not offered in higher-paying contract positions. For those negotiating pay in Gardner, understanding the unique dynamics around these positions, and how overtime and job type impact earnings, is key to securing a favorable compensation package.
More salary data for Gardner, 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 Gardner. 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 Gardner 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