Air Traffic Controller Salary in Aurora, CO: $167,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Aurora, CO earns a median $167,480/year (≈ $80.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $159,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Colorado, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $167,480, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national average of $151,886. The salary range spans from a lower threshold of $97,139 at the P10 level to an upper limit of $253,026 at the P90 level, indicating significant potential for earnings based on experience and facility assignment. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted to local economic conditions, highlight how the structure of air traffic controller pay in Aurora CO is influenced by overtime, as controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, particularly in understaffed environments. This dynamic creates an effective compensation landscape that rewards resilience and expertise, suggesting strong job market prospects for current and aspiring controllers.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,139 | $46.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,585 | $57.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $214,375 | $103.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,026 | $121.65 |
Median Salary Position
10.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,887 (2026 est.). At $167,480, the local median is 10.27% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Aurora median: $167,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $163,077 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +10.27% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Aurora, CO earn a median of $167,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.27% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.70% above the Colorado state average of $163,077.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,480 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,505 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,618
2025 BLS Actual
$163,284
2026 Current Est.
$167,480
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,618 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,811 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $145,829 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,485 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $135,618 (2019) to $163,284 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,167 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $97,139 – $120,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,585 – $167,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,480 – $214,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $214,375 – $253,026 |
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 Aurora
Analyzing the local job market indicates that there are currently 54 air traffic controllers employed in the Aurora area. With a cost-of-living index of 105, controllers will find that their earnings provide a decent purchasing power, albeit with some challenges given the heightened cost compared to national averages. Facilities employing the highest-paid controllers include FAA en route centers, which tend to offer superior compensation due to their Level 12 structure, while terminal and tower facilities follow with Levels 11 and 7, respectively. A combination of factors contributes to the variances in pay, such as certification status and the opportunity for extra earnings through shift differentials and extensive mandatory overtime. Controllers aiming to optimize their air traffic controller pay in Aurora CO should seek out en route facilities or consider positions that offer robust overtime and shift incentives in a high-demand job market, further enhanced by the looming mandatory retirement age of 56, which opens the door for career advancement.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
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
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 $163,284 for air traffic controllersin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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