Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $71.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in St. Cloud, MN runs $71.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,508 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,106 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the air traffic controller hourly pay is projected to reach $71.40 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $73.02 per hour. This rate reflects the specialized environment in which air traffic controllers operate, from busy airport traffic control towers to radar facilities operating under demanding conditions. For those considering part-time positions, working three days a week could yield approximately $54,600 annually, which may be appealing for those balancing other commitments. The hourly wage range for air traffic controllers in the area spans from $41.41 for entry-level positions to up to $106.07 for those at the top of the pay scale. Such figures are derived from annual salary expectations, but they provide insight into the various levels of experience one can find in the air traffic control profession.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.41 | $331.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.42 | $419.39 |
| Median (P50) | $71.40 | $571.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.91 | $727.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.07 | $848.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $71.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.40/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $148,510 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,679. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,855.96 | $12,376 | $148,510 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,713.58 | $7,425 | $89,106 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,142.38 | $4,950 | $59,404 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (St. Cloud) | $71.40 |
| 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. Cloud, MN earn a median of $148,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $149,555.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.40/hr = $89,106/year (purchasing power: $90,463).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,510/year (purchasing power: $150,771).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. Cloud grew 20.4% from $57.82/hr (2019) to $69.61/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.23/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. Cloud 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. Cloud
Part-time employment as an air traffic controller in St. Cloud can offer a viable income but may come with reduced benefits compared to full-time work. Controllers on a 3-day workweek schedule could see a take-home annually that falls well short of their full-time counterparts, who often log many overtime hours. In fact, many controllers find themselves regularly working 50-60 hours a week due to chronic staffing shortages, effectively boosting their total compensation significantly above the base hourly rate. Per diem opportunities can also arise during facility transfer training, allowing some controllers to negotiate their pay while catering to personal schedules. The differences in pay can vary wildly based on the employing entity—controllers at FAA en route centers generally earn more than their counterparts at FAA contract towers or smaller airports. Moreover, some professionals opt for positions with lower hourly rates that offer benefits like health insurance, which can factor heavily into long-term financial decisions. When negotiating hourly compensation, it may be beneficial to emphasize experience and flexibility, especially in a market like St. Cloud, where the need for skilled controllers is pressing.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud. 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. Cloud 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