Air Traffic Controller Salary in Sitka, AK: $148,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Sitka, AK earns a median $148,882/year (≈ $71.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Sitka's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $140,322 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sitka, Alaska, air traffic controllers can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $148,882, slightly below the national average of $151,886. The salary range illustrates a broad spectrum of compensation, from $86,442 at the 10th percentile to $202,708 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and regional price adjustments, reflect current employment conditions. The effective compensation can also be bolstered by the high volume of overtime hours, as staffing shortages often require controllers to work 50-60 hour weeks. This dynamic not only impacts the take-home pay for those in Sitka but also illustrates the challenges faced by the local air traffic control sector.
About the Sitka Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,442 | $41.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,104 | $52.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,882 | $71.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,745 | $89.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,708 | $97.45 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sitka
In Sitka, AK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,266 (2026 est.). At $148,882, the local median is 1.98% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sitka: You'd be above the median
How Sitka Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Sitka median: $148,882/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sitka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $161,128 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.98% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sitka, AK earn a median of $148,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $161,128.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sitka has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sitka, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,882 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,322 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,558
2025 BLS Actual
$145,152
2026 Current Est.
$148,882
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sitka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,841 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,184 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,635 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,073 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sitka metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $120,558 (2019) to $145,152 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,151 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sitka 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,442 – $109,104 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,104 – $148,882 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,882 – $185,745 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,745 – $202,708 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Sitka
Currently employing just five air traffic controllers, Sitka's job market remains competitive despite its limited size. With a cost-of-living index pegged at 106.1, salaries are somewhat adjusted to account for higher living expenses in the area. Among local employers, FAA en route centers and terminal facilities tend to offer the most lucrative positions, often influenced by multiple factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and the frequency of overtime due to chronic understaffing in air traffic control. Controllers aiming to maximize their earnings in this environment should leverage shift differentials—up to 25% for Sundays, 100% for holidays—and the potential for overtime to enhance their overall compensation package. Understanding these variables is essential for both current and prospective air traffic controllers in Sitka, AK, as they navigate their career paths.
More salary data for Sitka, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Sitka?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $145,152 for air traffic controllersin the Sitka metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sitka 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