Air Traffic Controller Salary in St. Cloud, FL: $151,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in St. Cloud, FL earns a median $151,087/year (≈ $72.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $149,888 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Cloud, FL, the compensation landscape for air traffic controllers positions a 2026 median annual salary at $151,087, slightly below the national median of $151,886. This effective compensation often reflects the need for controllers to work 50-60 hour weeks in understaffed facilities, which is a common scenario across the industry. The salary range in this market stretches from $87,631 at the P10 level to as high as $219,806 at the P90 tier. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data projected to 2026, highlight the robust earning potential for those occupying this critical role in a sector where demand remains strong and challenges from staffing shortages persist in St. Cloud.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,631 | $42.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,783 | $52.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $151,087 | $72.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,391 | $92.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,806 | $105.68 |
Median Salary Position
0.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,175 (2026 est.). At $151,087, the local median is 0.53% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $151,087/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,643 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.53% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in St. Cloud, FL earn a median of $151,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.53% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $154,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $151,087 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,888 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,343
2025 BLS Actual
$147,301
2026 Current Est.
$151,087
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,067 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,657 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,011 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $122,343 (2019) to $147,301 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,627 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $87,631 – $108,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,783 – $151,087 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $151,087 – $193,391 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,391 – $219,806 |
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 St. Cloud
The local job market features 11 air traffic controllers currently employed, a number that reflects both the supply and demand dynamics unique to St. Cloud. The cost-of-living index, reported at 100.8, indicates that while daily expenses are slightly above the national average, controllers can effectively manage their purchasing power. Among the various employers, the FAA's terminal radar approach control facilities tend to offer competitive salaries, drawing attention from skilled aviation professionals. The spread in pay within air traffic controller roles is attributed to several factors: the facility classification (with en route centers generally commanding higher salaries), the level of certification, shift differentials, and abundant opportunities for overtime that enhance take-home pay. Controllers in St. Cloud can maximize their earnings by seeking overtime, achieving CPC certification, and targeting higher-tier facilities, thereby navigating the local job market to their advantage.
More salary data for St. Cloud, FL:
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 $147,301 for air traffic controllersin the St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud 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