Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Beloit, WI: $65.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Beloit, WI runs $65.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,616 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Beloit's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,976 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Air traffic controllers in Beloit, Wisconsin, can expect a median hourly pay of $65.69, which is approximately 10.05% lower than the national median of $73.02. This rate can be particularly advantageous for part-time employees working three days a week, translating to a comfortable income when balancing other commitments. The hourly range in Beloit spans from $38.09 for entry-level positions up to $90.55 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures reflect a variety of working environments, including en route centers, radar facilities, and airport control towers, where controllers manage air traffic from dimly lit consoles and control rooms to panoramic windows offering expansive views of airport operations. The data driving these estimates comes from the annual salary figures projected for 2026 based on 2025 BLS data.
About the Beloit Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.09 | $304.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.94 | $391.49 |
| Median (P50) | $65.69 | $525.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.33 | $658.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.55 | $724.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Beloit
Based on $65.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.69/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Beloit, WI can expect to earn approximately $136,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,823. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Beloit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Beloit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,627.43 | $11,386 | $136,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,576.46 | $6,831 | $81,976 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,050.97 | $4,554 | $54,651 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Beloit) | $65.69 |
| 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 Beloit, WI earn a median of $136,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.05% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,552.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.69/hr = $81,976/year (purchasing power: $87,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,627/year (purchasing power: $146,281).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Beloit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Beloit grew 20.4% from $53.19/hr (2019) to $64.04/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.37/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 Beloit 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 Beloit
Considering the earning potential, a part-time air traffic controller in Beloit working 24 hours a week could realize an annual take-home significantly lower than that of full-time peers, yet still, enjoy a decent quality of life. Agency and per-diem work options provide additional pathways, especially when controllers take advantage of overtime opportunities, which can push their effective hourly compensation far above base rates. In a prevalent environment of understaffing, controllers often find themselves working 50-60 hours per week, generating potential overtime pay ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000 annually. The variation in hourly rates across different employer types—such as FAA ARTCCs, military control, and contract towers—also factors in significantly. Some controllers choose positions that might pay less hourly but offer essential health benefits, reflecting the balance that current professionals weigh between immediate pay and long-term security. Those entering the field should be prepared to negotiate working conditions and compensation based on these dynamics to optimize their career in air traffic control.
More salary data for Beloit, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Beloit. 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 Beloit 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