Air Traffic Controller Salary in Rexburg, ID: $148,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Rexburg, ID earns a median $148,853/year (≈ $71.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Rexburg's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $156,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salaries in Rexburg, ID, offer a competitive compensation landscape shaped by hours worked at understaffed facilities. With a projected median annual salary of $148,853 in 2026, the pay range for air traffic controllers spans from $86,334 at the 10th percentile to $205,416 at the 90th percentile. These figures draw from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating that air traffic controllers in Rexburg can earn well above the median for many fields in the region. The demand for qualified controllers often leads to extended work hours, with many clocking in 50-60 hours a week, ultimately elevating effective compensation through overtime.
About the Rexburg Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,334 | $41.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,174 | $51.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,853 | $71.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,832 | $89.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,416 | $98.75 |
Median Salary Position
2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rexburg
In Rexburg, ID, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,082 (2026 est.). At $148,853, the local median is 2% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rexburg: You'd be above the median
How Rexburg Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Rexburg median: $148,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rexburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $150,205 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.00% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Rexburg, ID earn a median of $148,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Idaho state average of $150,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rexburg has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rexburg, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $148,853 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,534
2025 BLS Actual
$145,123
2026 Current Est.
$148,853
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rexburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,816 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,159 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,637 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,006 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,678 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rexburg metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $120,534 (2019) to $145,123 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,678 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,144 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rexburg 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) | $86,334 – $107,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,174 – $148,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,853 – $186,832 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,832 – $205,416 |
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 Rexburg
As of the 2026 estimates, Rexburg employs just eight air traffic controllers, which points to a niche but critical job market in the region. The cost of living index in Rexburg sits at 95.3, allowing controllers to enjoy slightly better purchasing power compared to national averages. Employment opportunities can vary significantly based on facility type, as higher-tier en route centers typically offer more lucrative pay than terminal and tower facilities. Controllers aiming to maximize their earnings may focus on navigating career paths through FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach control (TRACON), or even specialized military positions, where compensation structures differ due to factors like facility classification and shift differentials. With competitive overtime pay readily available due to staffing shortages, those in Rexburg can strategically increase their salaries while working towards certification and expanding their role within the FAA framework.
More salary data for Rexburg, ID:
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 $145,123 for air traffic controllersin the Rexburg 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 Rexburg 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