Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Junction City, KS: $60.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Junction City, KS runs $60.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,263 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Junction City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,153 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, Kansas, the median hourly pay for air traffic controllers stands at $60.22, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This difference may affect the earning capabilities of those sustaining part-time positions, where working three days a week could yield a substantial, albeit reduced, income. The hourly pay ranges from $34.93 at the 10th percentile to $84.16 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the potential for considerable earnings among those with more experience or working in high-demand settings. Junction City's air traffic controllers typically operate from facilities like en route centers, TRACON radar facilities, and airport traffic control tower cabs, each offering varying environments that influence their hourly rates.
About the Junction 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) | $34.93 | $279.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.65 | $365.23 |
| Median (P50) | $60.22 | $481.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.65 | $613.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.16 | $673.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Junction City
Based on $60.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.22/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Junction City, KS can expect to earn approximately $125,255 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,263. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Junction City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Junction City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,408.75 | $10,438 | $125,255 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,445.25 | $6,263 | $75,153 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $963.50 | $4,175 | $50,102 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Junction City) | $60.22 |
| 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 Junction City, KS earn a median of $125,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.53% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $132,834.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.22/hr = $75,153/year (purchasing power: $82,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,255/year (purchasing power: $137,795).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Junction City grew 20.4% from $48.76/hr (2019) to $58.71/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.77/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 Junction 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 Junction City
Earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers, particularly those working 24 hours a week, can average significantly lower than full-time counterparts, even when factoring in pay variations across different types of employers within Junction City. In particular, overtime opportunities abound, with controllers frequently working 50 to 60 hours per week, which can push actual earnings well beyond base hourly pay. While some controllers choose the path of per diem arrangements, which can yield a tempting rate during transitional training phases, they may sacrifice the benefits associated with full-time positions, including health insurance. Furthermore, hourly compensation can vary depending on whether one works with FAA en route centers, contracted facilities, military air traffic control, or ATC towers at smaller airports. Given the chronic staffing shortages in the industry, negotiating for favorable terms, whether through overtime or per diem air traffic controller pay in Junction City, becomes a strategic imperative for many within this vital profession.
More salary data for Junction 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 Junction 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 Junction 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