Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Liberty, MO: $64.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Liberty, MO runs $64.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,114 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Liberty's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,465 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberty, Missouri, the projected hourly pay for air traffic controllers stands at $64.48, which is below the national median of $73.02. This disparity is significant in the context of local employment settings, including en route center radar consoles, TRACON radar facilities, and airport traffic control towers, where these controllers perform critical duties. An hourly wage of this magnitude translates favorably for those working part-time, such as on a 3-day workweek, allowing for a reasonable income while balancing personal commitments. Beyond entry-level positions, which may start at approximately $37.40, experienced controllers in Liberty can expect to end their careers with hourly pay pegged at approximately $88.48. The forecasted rates suggest that Liberty's air traffic controller hourly rates are closely tied to the regional cost of living, which is below the national average, providing a perspective on local employment dynamics.
About the Liberty 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) | $37.40 | $299.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.42 | $371.39 |
| Median (P50) | $64.48 | $515.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.43 | $643.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.48 | $707.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberty
Based on $64.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.48/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberty, MO can expect to earn approximately $134,109 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,371. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberty.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberty
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,579.02 | $11,176 | $134,109 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,547.41 | $6,705 | $80,465 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,031.61 | $4,470 | $53,644 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Liberty) | $64.48 |
| 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 Liberty, MO earn a median of $134,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $136,157.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.48/hr = $80,465/year (purchasing power: $89,805).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,109/year (purchasing power: $149,675).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Liberty grew 20.4% from $52.21/hr (2019) to $62.86/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.13/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 Liberty 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 Liberty
Considering part-time opportunities, a controller working 24 hours a week at the 2026 projected rate could take home approximately $50,431 annually, compared to full-time controllers who work 40 hours weekly, aggregating a significantly higher income. For many in this profession, per diem roles often come into play, particularly when considering transitional training programs. Controllers at understaffed facilities frequently clock in 50-60 hours per week, translating their base pay into higher effective hourly compensation due to overtime rates. Variability in hourly earnings is further influenced by the type of employer; FAA ARTCCs, TRACONs, airport control towers, and military installations all offer differing pay scales. This diversity leads some to accept lower pay for jobs that offer better benefits, particularly health insurance, while others prioritize hourly pay without additional coverage. When negotiating their contracts, air traffic controllers in Liberty might consider highlighting their experience in high-demand fields or specialized skills to enhance their pay packages.
More salary data for Liberty, 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 Liberty. 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 Liberty 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