Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Dearborn, MI: $87.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Dearborn, MI runs $87.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $181,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Dearborn's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $93.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $109,165 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dearborn, Michigan, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $87.47, significantly above the national median of $73.02. This higher compensation reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities inherent in the profession. For those working part-time, a schedule of just three days a week would still yield substantial earnings, allowing for an attractive work-life balance. In contrast, full-time positions typically span five days and deliver a stronger financial foundation. Hourly earnings in Dearborn range from $50.73 for entry-level roles to as high as $131.15 for seasoned professionals at top-tier facilities. It’s important to recognize that these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, and they reflect the demanding environments where controllers operate, including busy control towers and radar facilities, often requiring acute focus and quick decision-making.
About the Dearborn Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.73 | $405.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.98 | $503.82 |
| Median (P50) | $87.47 | $699.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111.97 | $895.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131.15 | $1049.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dearborn
Based on $87.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $87.47/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dearborn, MI can expect to earn approximately $181,941 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $104,966. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dearborn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dearborn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,498.87 | $15,162 | $181,941 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,099.32 | $9,097 | $109,165 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,399.55 | $6,065 | $72,776 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Dearborn) | $87.47 |
| 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 Dearborn, MI earn a median of $181,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.79% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 28.50% above the Michigan state average of $141,594.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $87.47/hr = $109,165/year (purchasing power: $117,129).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $181,941/year (purchasing power: $195,216).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$70.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$85.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$87.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Dearborn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $75.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $79.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $85.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Dearborn grew 20.4% from $70.83/hr (2019) to $85.28/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $89.72/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 Dearborn 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 Dearborn
The potential for part-time air traffic controllers in Dearborn to earn a comfortable income illustrates the flexibility and opportunity available in this career. Working a 24-hour schedule across three days, one can expect to net close to $111,373 post-tax annually, while a full-time commitment may lead to nearly $181,949 before taxes. Moreover, with the chronic understaffing in many air traffic control facilities, including FAA centers and towers, the reality of working overtime leaves the door open for significant additional pay. Controllers frequently find themselves clocking 50 to 60 hours weekly, where overtime rates of 1.5 times the base pay greatly enhance their overall earnings. This context varies across different employers in Dearborn—from FAA contract towers to military installations—each with unique pay structures and benefits. Some may choose positions offering lower hourly rates with comprehensive health benefits, while others may prefer higher hourly pay without those extras. Negotiation is key in this field, especially in a region like Dearborn where understanding employer-specific conditions can amplify one’s financial package significantly.
More salary data for Dearborn, MI:
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 Dearborn. 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 Dearborn 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