Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Minneapolis, MN: $88.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Minneapolis, MN runs $88.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $184,288 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Minneapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.8, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $84.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $110,573 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minneapolis, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $88.60, which surpasses the national median of $73.02 by a considerable margin. For those working part-time, such as just three days a week, this competitive pay translates into a substantial income, particularly given the demanding environments they operate in, from en route centers to airport control towers. Entry-level controllers typically start around $48.94 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top tier can earn as much as $109.47 per hour. This wide range highlights the potential for growth within the profession, with opportunities for additional compensation in high-pressure settings like airport traffic control towers offering extensive views and rapid decision-making environments. This data effectively reflects the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly estimates for 2026, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.94 | $391.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.80 | $550.43 |
| Median (P50) | $88.60 | $708.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.10 | $800.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.47 | $875.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Minneapolis
Based on $88.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $88.60/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Minneapolis, MN can expect to earn approximately $184,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $106,320. With a cost-of-living index of 104.82 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Minneapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Minneapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,544.00 | $15,357 | $184,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,126.40 | $9,214 | $110,573 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,417.60 | $6,143 | $73,715 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Minneapolis) | $88.60 |
| 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 Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $184,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.33% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 23.20% above the Minnesota state average of $149,584.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $88.60/hr = $110,573/year (purchasing power: $105,486).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $184,288/year (purchasing power: $175,810).
CoL index: 104.822 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$86.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$88.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $81.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $86.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Minneapolis grew 27.1% from $67.97/hr (2019) to $86.38/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $90.88/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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Exploring the potential earnings further, air traffic controllers working part-time can anticipate an annual income roughly based on 24 hours a week, translating to a stable yet lower total compared to their full-time counterparts. The variability of per-diem work adds another layer to the financial landscape, as controllers accept additional training or temporary assignments for competitive rates that can often include overtime pay at 1.5 times their base rate. In many cases, controllers might find themselves working 50-60 hours a week, thus significantly boosting their earnings through overtime, sometimes reaching upwards of $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Employer type plays a crucial role in determining hourly rates; controllers employed at FAA en route centers often earn more than those in smaller FAA contract towers or municipal facilities. With the potential for further benefits to factor into pay negotiations, controllers should weigh hourly compensation against health insurance and retirement benefits when seeking positions in Minneapolis and statewide, ensuring their choices align with their long-term financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
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 Minneapolis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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