Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in St. Paul, MN: $87.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in St. Paul, MN runs $87.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $182,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against St. Paul's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $89.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $109,459 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning a median hourly rate of $87.71, air traffic controllers in St. Paul, Minnesota, enjoy a competitive compensation package compared to the national median of $73.02. This robust pay reflects the demanding nature of the job, often performed in settings such as en route centers, TRACON facilities, and control towers, where controllers must maintain concentration and precision in crucial traffic management roles. For those working part-time, specifically three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to significant earnings, whereas per-diem workers benefit from flexibility. The hourly range in St. Paul extends from $50.87 at the 10th percentile to $135.95 at the 90th percentile, allowing for attractive income possibilities for both entry-level and experienced controllers, especially as the field grapples with a high demand for staffing and an aging workforce nearing mandatory retirement age.
About the St. Paul 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) | $50.87 | $407.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.15 | $505.22 |
| Median (P50) | $87.71 | $701.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112.27 | $898.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135.95 | $1087.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Paul
Based on $87.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $87.71/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Paul, MN can expect to earn approximately $182,432 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $105,249. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Paul.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Paul
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,508.30 | $15,203 | $182,432 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,104.98 | $9,122 | $109,459 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,403.32 | $6,081 | $72,973 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (St. Paul) | $87.71 |
| 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. Paul, MN earn a median of $182,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.11% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 21.90% above the Minnesota state average of $149,661.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $87.71/hr = $109,459/year (purchasing power: $111,126).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $182,432/year (purchasing power: $185,210).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$71.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$85.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$87.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $75.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $79.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $85.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. Paul grew 20.4% from $71.02/hr (2019) to $85.51/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $89.96/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. Paul 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. Paul
Becoming a part-time air traffic controller can yield a substantial income, even when working just 24 hours a week. For instance, a controller's annual compensation may significantly benefit from overtime, with many full-time employees regularly clocking in 50-60 hours per week, pushing their effective hourly compensation beyond the standard base pay due to overtime rates of 1.5 times their hourly rate. Furthermore, while some controllers prefer per diem contracts during facility training, they should be aware of the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits provided. Employment settings also impact pay, as FAA en route centers and terminal facilities can offer higher rates compared to smaller contract towers. Negotiating effectively, especially when considering medical benefits versus hourly rates, becomes vital for maximizing compensation in this unique labor market shaped by continual shortages and industry demands in St. Paul, MN.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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. Paul. 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. Paul 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