Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pueblo, CO: $163,986 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Pueblo, CO earns a median $163,986/year (≈ $78.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Pueblo's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $156,177 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pueblo, Colorado, earning potential for air traffic controllers is heavily influenced by the demanding nature of the job, often resulting in 50 to 60 hour weeks at understaffed facilities. As projected for 2026, the median annual salary sits at $163,986, with a notable pay range from $95,112 at the 10th percentile to $246,100 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost variations. When comparing the air traffic controller salary in Pueblo to the national average of $151,886, the local compensation shows a healthy increase of 7.97%, reflecting the ongoing need for skilled controllers in the region and illustrating the diversity of earnings within this specialized field.
About the Pueblo Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,112 | $45.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,069 | $56.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,986 | $78.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,902 | $100.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $246,100 | $118.31 |
Median Salary Position
7.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pueblo
In Pueblo, CO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $150,988 (2026 est.). At $163,986, the local median is 7.97% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pueblo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pueblo Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Pueblo median: $163,986/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pueblo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $163,008 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +7.97% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Pueblo, CO earn a median of $163,986 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.97% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% above the Colorado state average of $163,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pueblo has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pueblo, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,986 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,177 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,788
2025 BLS Actual
$159,877
2026 Current Est.
$163,986
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $140,087 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,786 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,986 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,200 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pueblo metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $132,788 (2019) to $159,877 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,200 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,412 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo 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) | $95,112 – $118,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,069 – $163,986 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,986 – $209,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,902 – $246,100 |
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 Pueblo
The job market in Pueblo consists of 26 air traffic controllers, providing a tight-knit professional community amid an area experiencing a cost-of-living index of 105. This elevated index suggests that take-home purchasing power requires careful management, particularly for controllers earning at different tiers of the pay scale. High-paying employers include FAA en route centers and terminal TRACON facilities, which tend to offer better compensation due to the complexity of traffic management. Pay disparities often arise from factors such as facility level, CPC certification, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime, exacerbated by chronic staffing shortages. Controllers can maximize their air traffic controller pay in Pueblo, CO, by targeting higher-tier facilities, pursuing CPC certification, and being open to shifts that provide additional compensation for nights and weekends. These strategies help navigate the economic realities of the local market for air traffic controllers.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 $159,877 for air traffic controllersin the Pueblo 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 Pueblo 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