Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Westlake, OH: $65.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Westlake, OH runs $65.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Westlake's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,963 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Westlake, Ohio, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $65.68, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02 per hour. This distinction has implications for part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers who might engage in work settings such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, or airport control towers. With an hourly range stretching from $38.08 for entry-level positions up to $90.91 for top earners, the pay scale allows for a competitive yet varied compensation spectrum based on experience and specific location. As these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they shed light on the financial prospects within this pivotal role in aviation.
About the Westlake 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) | $38.08 | $304.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.28 | $378.28 |
| Median (P50) | $65.68 | $525.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.40 | $659.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.91 | $727.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westlake
Based on $65.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.68/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westlake, OH can expect to earn approximately $136,605 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,811. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Westlake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westlake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,627.02 | $11,384 | $136,605 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.21 | $6,830 | $81,963 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,050.81 | $4,554 | $54,642 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Westlake) | $65.68 |
| 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 Westlake, OH earn a median of $136,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.07% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the Ohio state average of $137,696.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.68/hr = $81,963/year (purchasing power: $90,367).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,605/year (purchasing power: $150,612).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Westlake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Westlake grew 20.4% from $53.18/hr (2019) to $64.03/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.36/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 Westlake 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 Westlake
Looking closer at the earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers in Westlake, those working three days a week, equivalent to 24 hours, could anticipate significant variations in annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Many controllers find themselves in per-diem roles, which often allows for negotiation on rates, especially during facility transfer training; this flexibility can lead to earnings that reflect not only base salaries but also substantial overtime pay that often elevates their effective hourly compensation. Controllers in understaffed facilities frequently clock anywhere from 50 to 60 hours weekly, earning an additional $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime, which illustrates how the nature of the job can substantially impact take-home totals. Different employer types in Westlake, from FAA en route centers to military air traffic control, present further divergence in hourly compensation as some opt for roles that provide healthcare benefits but with lower pay, while others may choose higher hourly wages that lack these benefits. For controllers, especially those coming from the CTI or military hiring pathways, skillful negotiation regarding per diem air traffic controller pay in Westlake can consequently lead to favorable financial outcomes, all while navigating the complexities of the FAA's various pay scales.
More salary data for Westlake, 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 Westlake. 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 Westlake 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