Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Ballwin, MO: $62.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Ballwin, MO runs $62.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,428 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Ballwin's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,251 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Ballwin, Missouri, earn a median hourly rate of $62.70, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This pay level indicates that while fully employed controllers can expect a solid income, part-time controllers working three days a week can still manage a decent take-home pay. Average hourly rates also range significantly, from $36.37 at the P10 level for entry-level positions to $88.73 for top earners. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, translating to various working environments, including en route centers, airport traffic control towers, and TRACON facilities, where controllers manage air traffic flow in real-time. For those seeking per-diem work, there may be opportunities with facility training, but earning potential can vary based on experience and the nature of the assignments.
About the Ballwin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.37 | $290.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.15 | $361.21 |
| Median (P50) | $62.70 | $501.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.85 | $638.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.73 | $709.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ballwin
Based on $62.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.70/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ballwin, MO can expect to earn approximately $130,418 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,241. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ballwin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ballwin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,508.04 | $10,868 | $130,418 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,504.82 | $6,521 | $78,251 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,003.22 | $4,347 | $52,167 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Ballwin) | $62.70 |
| 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 Ballwin, MO earn a median of $130,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Missouri state average of $136,146.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.70/hr = $78,251/year (purchasing power: $87,334).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,418/year (purchasing power: $145,556).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Ballwin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Ballwin grew 20.4% from $50.77/hr (2019) to $61.13/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.31/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 Ballwin 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 Ballwin
Analyzing the air traffic controller hourly pay in Ballwin reveals further insights into the potential taking home annually. A controller working part-time for 24 hours a week would earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still can achieve a reasonable salary considering the work-life balance. Many controllers opt for per-diem positions, which offer flexible hours but lack certain benefits. In a market where overtime is abundant—often exceeding base rates and resulting in pay close to $50k-$100k above base salaries—working in understaffed facilities becomes very attractive. Hourly rates can fluctuate depending on employer types, such as agencies or military branches, and the FAA's en route centers and tower facilities. Moreover, some controllers may take a lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits, thus enhancing their long-term financial security. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local economics and options available to them—like the BLS-projected growth rate of 2.57%—is essential in Ballwin's air traffic control market.
More salary data for Ballwin, MO:
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 Ballwin. 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 Ballwin 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