Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Cuyahoga Falls, OH: $66.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Cuyahoga Falls, OH runs $66.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,298 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Cuyahoga Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,974 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio presents an air traffic controller hourly pay projection of $66.49 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02. This hourly figure is relevant for those considering part-time roles, particularly in facilities like en route centers or airport control towers, where controllers often work in dimly lit radar rooms or high-visibility traffic control towers. The pay range for controllers in this city varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $38.57 while experienced professionals can earn as much as $93.81 per hour. This gap illustrates the potential for growth in hourly wages as controllers advance in their careers, which is reflective of the demands and expertise needed in handling air traffic, especially in busy environments akin to those surrounding major airports.
About the Cuyahoga Falls Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.57 | $308.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.87 | $382.96 |
| Median (P50) | $66.49 | $531.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.06 | $672.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.81 | $750.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cuyahoga Falls
Based on $66.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.49/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cuyahoga Falls, OH can expect to earn approximately $138,291 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,783. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cuyahoga Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cuyahoga Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,659.43 | $11,524 | $138,291 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,595.66 | $6,915 | $82,974 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.77 | $4,610 | $55,316 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Cuyahoga Falls) | $66.49 |
| 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 Cuyahoga Falls, OH earn a median of $138,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% above the Ohio state average of $137,747.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.49/hr = $82,974/year (purchasing power: $91,482).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,291/year (purchasing power: $152,470).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cuyahoga Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls grew 20.4% from $53.84/hr (2019) to $64.82/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.19/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 Cuyahoga 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 Cuyahoga Falls
Part-time air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls could work around 24 hours a week, potentially earning over $83,000 annually, a significant sum yet still less than a full-time controller would typically receive. Controllers often work overtime, and those in understaffed settings frequently find themselves clocking in 50-60 hours each week, resulting in overtime pay that can significantly boost their overall earnings, sometimes exceeding $100,000 annually. The type of employer can also influence hourly rates—those working at FAA en route centers or busy TRACON facilities tend to receive higher wages compared to those at smaller contract towers. Many controllers face the choice between a higher hourly rate without benefits versus a modest pay that includes health insurance; this decision varies according to personal circumstances and future career plans within the FAA, which is crucial given the mandatory retirement age of 56. Negotiation is key in this field, and understanding the specific pay structures at different facilities in Cuyahoga Falls can provide an edge in securing favorable terms.
More salary data for Cuyahoga Falls, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Cuyahoga Falls?
Are air traffic controllers in Cuyahoga Falls paid hourly or salary?
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Career Resources
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 Cuyahoga 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 Cuyahoga 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