Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Franklin, WI: $64.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Franklin, WI runs $64.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,090 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,054 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Franklin, Wisconsin, earn a median hourly pay of $64.95, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This hourly rate allows for various work arrangements, including part-time schedules, which could mean working three days a week or 24 hours total. In Franklin, air traffic controllers might operate from en route center radar consoles in dimly lit control rooms or from the more dynamic environments like airport traffic control towers that provide panoramic views. Entry-level positions typically start at $37.67, while experienced controllers can make as much as $92.13 per hour, reflecting the significant range in pay within this profession as controllers ascend the wage curve based on experience and skill level. It’s essential to recognize that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates projected for 2026.
About the Franklin 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) | $37.67 | $301.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.76 | $374.09 |
| Median (P50) | $64.95 | $519.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.04 | $664.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.13 | $737.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $64.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.95/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, WI can expect to earn approximately $135,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,937. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,597.89 | $11,258 | $135,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,558.74 | $6,755 | $81,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,039.16 | $4,503 | $54,036 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Franklin) | $64.95 |
| 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 Franklin, WI earn a median of $135,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.06% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.90% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,572.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.95/hr = $81,054/year (purchasing power: $86,782).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,090/year (purchasing power: $144,636).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Franklin grew 20.4% from $52.59/hr (2019) to $63.32/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.62/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 Franklin 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 Franklin
Part-time controllers who work a three-day schedule can expect to take home about $101,688 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The potential for additional income through overtime is significant, especially in understaffed facilities, where controllers can frequently exceed a 40-hour workweek. The reality of being a per-diem air traffic controller in Franklin can lead to hefty earnings—controllers working overtime at these sites can see compensation rise higher due to time-and-a-half rates, pushing their effective hourly earnings well above base pay. Differences in employer types can also impact earning potential; for instance, FAA en route centers may offer different compensation structures compared to local TRACON facilities or military air traffic control. Controllers often trade off lower hourly rates for the security of health benefits, depending on their employment situation, making negotiation skills crucial for those entering or advancing within the profession. Understanding the dynamics of compensations—such as the importance of overtime and benefits—can greatly influence one’s career in air traffic control in Franklin, WI.
More salary data for Franklin, 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 Franklin. 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 Franklin 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