Air Traffic Controller Salary in Broomfield, CO: $160,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Broomfield, CO earns a median $160,597/year (≈ $77.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Broomfield's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $152,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Broomfield, Colorado is home to a competitive air traffic controller salary landscape, with a median annual compensation of $160,597 in 2026. The salary range for air traffic controllers here spans from $93,146 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $236,006 for those in the upper echelon (90th percentile), reflecting varying responsibilities and facility types. These local salary estimates are derived from state-level data and adjusted for the cost of living, which is slightly above average in Broomfield. Unique to this market, air traffic controllers can work in different tiers, such as en route centers, terminal control facilities, and airport towers, where pay can differ significantly based on the complexity and demands of the position.
About the Broomfield Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,146 | $44.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,384 | $55.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,597 | $77.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $205,564 | $98.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $236,006 | $113.46 |
Median Salary Position
5.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Broomfield
In Broomfield, CO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,860 (2026 est.). At $160,597, the local median is 5.74% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Broomfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Broomfield Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Broomfield median: $160,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Broomfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $163,043 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +5.74% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Broomfield, CO earn a median of $160,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Colorado state average of $163,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Broomfield has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Broomfield, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,597 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,950 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,044
2025 BLS Actual
$156,573
2026 Current Est.
$160,597
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Broomfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,192 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,835 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,259 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,028 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Broomfield metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $130,044 (2019) to $156,573 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,680 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Broomfield 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) | $93,146 – $116,384 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,384 – $160,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,597 – $205,564 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $205,564 – $236,006 |
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 Broomfield
In Broomfield, the local job market supports 18 air traffic controllers, suggesting a stable yet limited opportunity for growth within the profession. The area has a cost-of-living index of 105, which can influence take-home pay and purchasing power for those in the field. Air traffic controllers employed at FAA en route centers often command the highest salaries among their peers, as these facilities manage significant high-altitude traffic. To enhance earning potential, controllers can seek positions that maximize shift differentials and overtime opportunities, particularly given the chronic staffing shortages affecting air traffic control since 2013. Moreover, advancing through the ranks from developmental to fully certified professional controller (CPC) status and capitalizing on locality pay, especially for those who may relocate from areas with higher competition, can significantly impact overall compensation in the Broomfield area.
More salary data for Broomfield, CO:
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 $156,573 for air traffic controllersin the Broomfield 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 Broomfield 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