Air Traffic Controller Salary in Twin Falls, ID: $149,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Twin Falls, ID earns a median $149,744/year (≈ $71.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Twin Falls's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $157,129 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Twin Falls, ID, is projected to reach a median of $149,744, offering a competitive compensation package compared to the national median of $151,886. The pay spectrum ranges from $86,851 at the 10th percentile to a significant $224,011 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region's cost of living, indicate the economic viability of pursuing a career in air traffic control within this city. Individuals can expect a pathway to full pay over a timeline of 1-3 years, which coincides with obtaining Certification (CPC) status. This reflects the developmental controller economics that shape the employment landscape in Twin Falls, where growth opportunities remain strong amidst the backdrop of federal employment policies.
About the Twin Falls Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,851 | $41.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,815 | $51.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,744 | $71.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,673 | $92.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $224,011 | $107.70 |
Median Salary Position
1.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Twin Falls
In Twin Falls, ID, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,160 (2026 est.). At $149,744, the local median is 1.41% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Twin Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Twin Falls Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Twin Falls median: $149,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Twin Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $150,195 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.41% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Twin Falls, ID earn a median of $149,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.41% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% below the Idaho state average of $150,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Twin Falls 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.
Twin Falls, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $149,744 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,129 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,256
2025 BLS Actual
$145,992
2026 Current Est.
$149,744
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Twin Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,581 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,385 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,443 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Twin Falls metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,256 (2019) to $145,992 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,336 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Twin Falls 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) | $86,851 – $107,815 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,815 – $149,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,744 – $191,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,673 – $224,011 |
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 Twin Falls
With only 12 air traffic controllers currently employed in the Twin Falls area, the local job market remains relatively specialized yet promising. The cost of living index stands at 95.3, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which may enhance take-home pay and overall purchasing power for controllers in the region. Notably, the FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay scales compared to terminal and tower facilities, which can influence earning potential significantly. Factors like facility type, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and abundant overtime drive the disparities in compensation across positions. Controllers can maximize their salary by seeking advanced assignments, taking advantage of overtime opportunities, and enhancing work shifts that offer greater financial incentives, making Twin Falls a strategic locale for aspiring air traffic professionals.
More salary data for Twin Falls, 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 $145,992 for air traffic controllersin the Twin Falls 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 Twin Falls 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