Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in North Olmsted, OH: $64.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in North Olmsted, OH runs $64.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against North Olmsted's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,901 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In North Olmsted, Ohio, air traffic controllers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $64.82 as of 2026. While this figure is below the national median of $73.02, it still represents a substantial income in the context of the local cost of living, which is notably lower than the national average. This hourly rate translates well for both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in environments like en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers. Those new to the profession can begin at an hourly rate of around $37.59, while experienced controllers can earn up to $94.36, showcasing the potential for significant upward mobility within this career. It is essential to recognize that these hourly rates are derived from projected annual salaries, reflecting the competitiveness of the air traffic controller hourly pay in North Olmsted.
About the North Olmsted 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) | $37.59 | $300.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.67 | $373.35 |
| Median (P50) | $64.82 | $518.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.32 | $642.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.36 | $754.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Olmsted
Based on $64.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.82/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Olmsted, OH can expect to earn approximately $134,834 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,789. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Olmsted.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Olmsted
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,592.97 | $11,236 | $134,834 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,555.78 | $6,742 | $80,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,037.19 | $4,494 | $53,934 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (North Olmsted) | $64.82 |
| 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 North Olmsted, OH earn a median of $134,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.23% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.10% below the Ohio state average of $137,722.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.82/hr = $80,901/year (purchasing power: $89,196).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,834/year (purchasing power: $148,660).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in North Olmsted (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in North Olmsted grew 20.4% from $52.49/hr (2019) to $63.20/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.49/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 North Olmsted 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 North Olmsted
For air traffic controllers considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week typically leads to an annual take-home income that could vary greatly compared to full-time positions. Controllers who work on per-diem contracts or agency roles may find their effective hourly compensation significantly enhanced due to overtime; many professionals in understaffed facilities report working 50-60 hours weekly, generating an extra $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime pay annually. In North Olmsted, hourly rates differ depending on the type of employer, with FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and contracted tower facilities offering their own tiers of compensation. Negotiating a healthy balance between hourly wage and benefits is critical—some controllers may choose positions with lower pay but robust health insurance, foregoing opportunities that provide higher hourly rates with no benefits. Knowledge of the hiring landscape, such as familiarity with the FG pay scale and the role of NATCA, can also influence a controller's negotiation strategy, allowing them to better navigate their career in a context defined by both chronic staffing shortages and mandatory retirement at age 56.
More salary data for North Olmsted, 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 North Olmsted. 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 North Olmsted 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