Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $72.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Great Falls, MT runs $72.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $151,397 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,834 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $72.78, which is slightly below the national average of $73.02. This hourly wage offers substantial earning potential, particularly for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. For instance, a controller working three days a week could easily see a significant income from just 24 hours of work per week, making this a viable choice for those seeking flexibility. The hourly compensation ranges from an entry-level rate of $42.22 to $109.00 for top performers, with figures derived from estimated annual salaries. Facilities such as en route centers, TRACON, and airport control towers in Great Falls provide both the structured environments for full-time professionals and the unique opportunities for those interested in less conventional schedules.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.22 | $337.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.40 | $419.22 |
| Median (P50) | $72.78 | $582.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.16 | $745.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.00 | $872.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $72.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.78/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $151,390 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $87,340. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,911.35 | $12,616 | $151,390 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,746.81 | $7,570 | $90,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,164.54 | $5,046 | $60,556 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Great Falls) | $72.78 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $151,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.32% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $151,853.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.78/hr = $90,834/year (purchasing power: $94,422).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $151,390/year (purchasing power: $157,370).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Great Falls grew 20.4% from $58.94/hr (2019) to $70.96/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.65/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Examining the reality of part-time positions reveals a noteworthy example: a 24-hour workweek could yield an annual income around $56,893 for a part-time air traffic controller, compared to full-time earnings that can exceed $151,397. Additionally, for many in this industry, overtime is essential. Controllers often put in 50 to 60 hours weekly, significantly increasing their hourly compensation through time-and-a-half pay, which drives annual estimates well into the six-figure range, sometimes adding $50,000-$100,000 in overtime alone. Various employers in Great Falls, such as FAA en route centers and military operations, might offer different hourly pay rates, and trade-offs between salary and benefits play a major role in choosing positions. While some may accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive healthcare benefits, others prefer higher pay without those perks. Given the competitive landscape, negotiating effectively can make a substantial difference in a controller's take-home pay, particularly for agency or per diem roles where flexibility is often present but comes with unique challenges.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Great Falls. 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 Great Falls 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