Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $65.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Grand Forks, ND runs $65.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,002 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $65.71, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $73.02. For controllers working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this hourly rate provides a unique earning potential, especially when factoring in the demanding environments they operate in, such as the en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities adjacent to airports, and airport control towers. With entry-level positions starting at an hourly rate of $38.12, the earnings can escalate to $92.94 for experienced top earners within the city, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and high-stress nature of the work. The figures are derived from annual salary data, allowing for a clearer understanding of what working in air traffic control entails in Grand Forks in terms of compensation on an hourly basis.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.12 | $304.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.31 | $378.44 |
| Median (P50) | $65.71 | $525.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.11 | $672.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.94 | $743.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $65.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.71/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $136,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,848. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,628.25 | $11,389 | $136,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.95 | $6,833 | $82,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,051.30 | $4,556 | $54,668 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Grand Forks) | $65.71 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $136,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.02% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% above the North Dakota state average of $135,857.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.71/hr = $82,002/year (purchasing power: $89,132).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,669/year (purchasing power: $148,553).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Grand Forks grew 20.4% from $53.21/hr (2019) to $64.06/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.39/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Looking closely at the earning potential, a part-time air traffic controller working three days a week, around 24 hours, could generate an annual income that offers a stable living, albeit significantly less than a full-time position. Overtime is an additional component to consider; many controllers take on extra shifts due to chronic understaffing, often clocking 50-60 hours a week, where overtime pay at 1.5 times the base rate significantly enhances their overall compensation. The nature of per diem air traffic controller pay in Grand Forks can be negotiated for those involved in facility transfer training, although contractors within this profession face limitations, as the FAA does not allow for 1099 arrangements. Furthermore, the hourly rates vary considerably across different employer types, from FAA en route centers to smaller contract towers, influencing negotiation strategies. Some controllers opt for positions with lower hourly rates to obtain benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer higher hourly wages with no benefits. Understanding these dynamics allows prospective applicants to navigate their career choices effectively in the air traffic control field in Grand Forks.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Grand Forks in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Grand Forks?
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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 Grand Forks. 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 Grand Forks 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