Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Covington, KY: $61.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Covington, KY runs $61.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,510 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, Kentucky, the hourly pay for air traffic controllers comes in at a median rate of $61.31, which is notably below the national median of $73.02. This difference can significantly impact potential earnings, particularly for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. With part-time shifts typically spanning three days a week and totaling 24 hours, controllers can anticipate annual earnings that may not match their full-time counterparts but still provide a competitive salary. For entry-level positions, hourly pay starts at $35.56, whereas more experienced controllers can earn up to $84.13 per hour. The environment these professionals work in varies, from windowless en route center radar consoles to airport towers with expansive views, yet the common thread remains the intensity of focus required, regardless of setting.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.56 | $284.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.15 | $353.17 |
| Median (P50) | $61.31 | $490.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.66 | $613.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.13 | $673.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $61.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.31/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, KY can expect to earn approximately $127,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,567. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,452.24 | $10,626 | $127,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,471.35 | $6,376 | $76,510 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $980.90 | $4,251 | $51,007 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Covington) | $61.31 |
| 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 Covington, KY earn a median of $127,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.04% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $129,202.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.31/hr = $76,510/year (purchasing power: $85,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,517/year (purchasing power: $142,796).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Covington grew 20.4% from $49.64/hr (2019) to $59.77/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.88/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 Covington 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 Covington
In evaluating the earning potential for air traffic controllers, part-time workers in Covington often see their annual take-home pay significantly less than full-timers due to reduced hours. For instance, those working a 24-hour week may find their income compelling but limited compared to a full-time schedule. The opportunity for overtime can greatly enhance earnings; many air traffic controllers find themselves routinely working 50-60 hour weeks owing to chronic staffing shortages, translating into substantial overtime pay at 1.5 times the base salary. This can elevate effective hourly compensation considerably, particularly for controllers in FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach facilities, where traffic demands are highest. While some may opt for positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others pursue agency work for greater flexibility and potentially higher pay. When negotiating, it’s vital for hourly workers to consider not just the pay rate but the total compensation package, including benefits, to ensure long-term financial stability in Covington's air traffic control sector.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
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 Covington. 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 Covington 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