Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in St. Charles, MO: $66.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in St. Charles, MO runs $66.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,612 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,565 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
St. Charles, Missouri, offers an intriguing picture for air traffic controller hourly pay, with a median wage of $66.16, which is lower than the national median of $73.02. This figure places St. Charles slightly behind the national average but remains attractive for those considering part-time or per-diem roles in facilities such as en route centers, TRACONs, and airport control towers. Part-time controllers working three days a week could find themselves earning around $1,596-1,633 weekly at this rate, depending on the number of hours allocated, while entry-level roles start at about $38.37 an hour, pushing upwards to a peak range of $94.15. It's noteworthy that these hourly rates stem from estimated annual data, revealing a decent financial incentive for those looking to work in the demanding air traffic control environment.
About the St. Charles 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) | $38.37 | $306.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.63 | $381.07 |
| Median (P50) | $66.16 | $529.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.32 | $674.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.15 | $753.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $66.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.16/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, MO can expect to earn approximately $137,608 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,389. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,646.31 | $11,467 | $137,608 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,587.78 | $6,880 | $82,565 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,058.52 | $4,587 | $55,043 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (St. Charles) | $66.16 |
| 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. Charles, MO earn a median of $137,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.40% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $136,115.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.16/hr = $82,565/year (purchasing power: $92,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,608/year (purchasing power: $153,580).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. Charles grew 20.4% from $53.57/hr (2019) to $64.50/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.86/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. Charles 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. Charles
Finding the right balance of work structure can greatly influence earning potential in St. Charles. Controllers working a typical 24-hour week spread over three days can expect to take home around $86,200 annually, while those who pursue full-time positions, often encumbered by mandatory overtime, can see significant boosts in their hourly compensation. Many controllers operate 50-60 hour weeks with overtime, directly impacting their earnings—some report annual compensation exceeding $100,000 due to overtime. Furthermore, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on whether one is employed by FAA en route centers, terminal facilities, military branches, or contractors, each presenting unique aspects of job security and benefits. Some may prefer a lower hourly rate for comprehensive health insurance, while others may opt for higher pay without the same benefits. Effective negotiation in St. Charles may involve discussing per diem air traffic controller pay, the potential for shifts, and the realities of a field plagued by chronic understaffing, ultimately aiming for a favorable position within the structured pay scales.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 St. Charles. 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. Charles 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