Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Lakewood, OH: $65.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Lakewood, OH runs $65.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,065 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,245 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lakewood, OH, offers a median air traffic controller hourly pay of $65.90, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This hourly rate reflects the estimated earnings derived from the annual salary data for controllers employed in various settings, including en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport traffic control towers. For part-time controllers working three days a week, the pay can provide a significant income, while per-diem roles allow for flexible schedules that can complement full-time positions or serve as primary employment. The range of hourly pay varies considerably: entry-level positions command around $38.22, while experienced controllers can earn as much as $98.36 per hour, enhancing the potential for lucrative earnings in this career within Lakewood's unique aviation environment.
About the Lakewood 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) | $38.22 | $305.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.45 | $379.59 |
| Median (P50) | $65.90 | $527.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.04 | $672.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.36 | $786.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $65.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.90/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, OH can expect to earn approximately $137,075 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,081. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,636.05 | $11,423 | $137,075 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,581.63 | $6,854 | $82,245 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,054.42 | $4,569 | $54,830 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Lakewood) | $65.90 |
| 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 Lakewood, OH earn a median of $137,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.76% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $137,754.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.90/hr = $82,245/year (purchasing power: $90,678).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,075/year (purchasing power: $151,130).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lakewood grew 20.4% from $53.36/hr (2019) to $64.25/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.59/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Part-time air traffic controllers in Lakewood can expect to take home a significantly different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time controller working 24 hours a week may see yearly earnings corresponding to their hourly rate but would generally miss out on benefits and overtime compensation. This profession often sees individuals taking on multiple shifts, leading to a reality where overtime can inflate earnings, pushing some controllers to work 50-60 hours weekly at time-and-a-half rates. In Lakewood, pay rates differ among employers, with FAA en route centers generally offering higher hourly compensation compared to smaller contract towers. Some controllers opt for jobs with better benefits, trading off higher hourly wages for health insurance and retirement options. When negotiating hourly rates, it’s crucial for candidates to emphasize their unique skill set and be open to discussing additional compensation options such as overtime and per diem rates, which are particularly relevant in the context of air traffic controller jobs within the region.
More salary data for Lakewood, OH:
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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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