Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Royal Oak, MI: $67.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Royal Oak, MI runs $67.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,822 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Royal Oak's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,896 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Royal Oak, Michigan, the projected hourly pay for an air traffic controller stands at $67.22, which is below the national median of $73.02 per hour. This hourly wage emphasizes a potentially challenging scenario for part-time employees, particularly those working three days a week in various settings such as en route centers or terminal radar approach facilities. With an hourly range extending from $38.99 for entry-level positions to $99.20 for top earners, the financial prospects vary significantly depending on experience and facility type. Air traffic controllers in Royal Oak are often found in under-resourced environments with stark working conditions, whether they are in windowless radar rooms or high towers with panoramic views for controlling airport traffic. Understanding these parameters can help both newly trained controllers and seasoned professionals gauge their expectations in this competitive field.
About the Royal Oak 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) | $38.99 | $311.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.96 | $391.65 |
| Median (P50) | $67.22 | $537.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.05 | $688.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.20 | $793.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Royal Oak
Based on $67.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.22/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Royal Oak, MI can expect to earn approximately $139,827 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,669. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Royal Oak.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Royal Oak
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,688.98 | $11,652 | $139,827 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,613.39 | $6,991 | $83,896 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,075.59 | $4,661 | $55,931 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Royal Oak) | $67.22 |
| 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 Royal Oak, MI earn a median of $139,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.94% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $141,521.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.22/hr = $83,896/year (purchasing power: $90,017).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,827/year (purchasing power: $150,029).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Royal Oak (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Royal Oak grew 20.4% from $54.44/hr (2019) to $65.54/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.95/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 Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak
Part-time air traffic controllers working three 8-hour shifts a week may find their overall earnings limited compared to their full-time counterparts but still benefit from a stable income. Specifically, working 24 hours a week at the hourly rate yields an annual take-home that may maintain a comfortable living despite the lower hours. Many air traffic controllers, facing chronic understaffing and the subsequent potential for overtime, can see their effective hourly rates soar above the base due to mandatory overtime, especially in high-demand environments like FAA en route centers and TRACONs. Additionally, per diem opportunities during temporary assignments may offer substantial pay, often negotiated differently than standard roles. Controllers at various types of facilities in Royal Oak may find positions offering lower pay but enhanced benefits, such as healthcare, appealing based on their career stage and personal needs. Engaging in effective negotiation tactics, understanding the unique demands of each facility type, and balancing hourly rates against benefits can significantly shape a controller's decision-making process in the MI air traffic control sector.
More salary data for Royal Oak, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Royal Oak in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Royal Oak?
Are air traffic controllers in Royal Oak paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Royal Oak?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Royal Oak?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Royal Oak. 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 Royal Oak 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