Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in St. Clair Shores, MI: $67.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in St. Clair Shores, MI runs $67.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,720 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against St. Clair Shores's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,434 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controller hourly pay in St. Clair Shores, MI, is projected to reach a median rate of $67.66. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $73.02, reflecting the unique economic conditions and job market in this city. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—the opportunity to earn a stable income while maintaining flexibility is significant, especially in high-pressure environments like en route centers and tower cabs. Generally, hourly rates in St. Clair Shores for air traffic controllers range from $39.24 for entry-level positions to $100.87 for experienced professionals, catering to a workforce that includes both seasoned controllers and newcomers entering the field. By examining these estimates based on annual salary data, future controllers can strategically assess their career trajectory against industry standards.
About the St. Clair Shores 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) | $39.24 | $313.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.71 | $389.68 |
| Median (P50) | $67.66 | $541.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.60 | $692.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.87 | $806.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Clair Shores
Based on $67.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.66/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Clair Shores, MI can expect to earn approximately $140,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,186. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Clair Shores.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Clair Shores
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,706.21 | $11,727 | $140,723 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,623.72 | $7,036 | $84,434 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,082.48 | $4,691 | $56,289 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (St. Clair Shores) | $67.66 |
| 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 St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $140,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $141,569.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.66/hr = $84,434/year (purchasing power: $90,594).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,723/year (purchasing power: $150,990).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. Clair Shores grew 20.4% from $54.78/hr (2019) to $65.96/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.39/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 St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores
Exploring the various dimensions of hourly pay reveals the earning potential for air traffic controllers in a part-time capacity. A controller working 24 hours a week could see annual earnings of approximately $84,000, which still presents an attractive option compared to full-time roles, where shifts often extend to 50-60 hours a week. Many controllers in St. Clair Shores who work overtime can significantly enhance their take-home pay, sometimes bringing home upwards of $100,000 annually through extra hours. The varying hourly rates across different employer types are crucial for understanding income potential; FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach control facilities often offer higher pay compared to smaller contract towers. While some controllers may choose roles with lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay in contract positions without long-term commitments. As such, negotiating hourly contracts in St. Clair Shores may focus on balancing pay rates with benefits and job security.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. Clair Shores in 2026?
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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 St. Clair Shores. 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 St. Clair Shores 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