Air Traffic Controller Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $146,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $146,056/year (≈ $70.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $148,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Flagstaff, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $146,056 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $151,886. The salary range reflects significant variability, with figures ranging from $84,713 at the 10th percentile to $212,136 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight how the local air traffic control job market is influenced by factors such as chronic understaffing. With the pressures of prolonged work weeks—often extending beyond 50-60 hours due to personnel shortages—controllers effectively boost their earnings through overtime, a common feature in this sector.
About the Flagstaff Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,713 | $40.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,056 | $70.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,951 | $89.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,136 | $101.99 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,423 (2026 est.). At $146,056, the local median is 3.84% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flagstaff Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $146,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $149,647 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -3.84% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $146,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $149,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $146,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,280 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,269
2025 BLS Actual
$142,396
2026 Current Est.
$146,056
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,174 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $118,269 (2019) to $142,396 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,540 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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) | $84,713 – $105,160 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,160 – $146,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,056 – $186,951 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,951 – $212,136 |
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 Flagstaff
Currently, Flagstaff only employs 14 air traffic controllers, a number that underscores both the robust demand for skilled professionals and the cost of living index in the area, which stands at 98.5. This relatively affordable index may enhance the take-home purchasing power compared to larger airports where salaries are typically higher but costs can be astronomical. Among the various employers, FAA en route centers offer the highest compensation, with potential for significant overtime pay. Factors driving the discrepancy between lower and higher incomes include facility tier levels, CPC certification status, and shift differentials, along with mandatory overtime. New hires aiming to maximize their earning potential in Flagstaff should focus on advancing certification status and seeking opportunities for overtime, as these strategies can markedly improve their overall compensation package in this dynamic sector.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
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 $142,396 for air traffic controllersin the Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff 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