Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bloomington, IN: $137,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bloomington, IN earns a median $137,444/year (≈ $66.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $150,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Indiana, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary for 2026 stands at $137,444. This figure suggests a competitive compensation compared to the national median of $151,886, reflecting a local economic context shaped by the region's cost of living adjustments. The salary range for air traffic controllers in this area extends from $79,717 at the 10th percentile to $203,675 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost conditions. The timeline for full certification as a Professional Controller (CPC) typically spans 1 to 3 years, which can influence controller salaries as individuals navigate the developmental pay structure that starts at around 65-75% of the CPC pay rate.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,717 | $38.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,675 | $48.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,444 | $66.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,928 | $84.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,675 | $97.92 |
Median Salary Position
9.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,958 (2026 est.). At $137,444, the local median is 9.51% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $137,444/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,692 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.51% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bloomington, IN earn a median of $137,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.51% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Indiana state average of $138,692.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $137,444 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,541 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$111,296
2025 BLS Actual
$134,000
2026 Current Est.
$137,444
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,296 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,019 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,413 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,675 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,296 (2019) to $134,000 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,680 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $79,717 – $100,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,675 – $137,444 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,444 – $175,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,928 – $203,675 |
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 Bloomington
Currently, Bloomington employs 13 air traffic controllers, indicating a specialized and somewhat limited job market. The local cost of living index, at 91.3, suggests that the purchasing power for these professionals may be slightly enhanced compared to more expensive areas. Among the employers, the FAA's terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities tend to offer higher pay relative to airport control towers. Various factors contribute to the pay disparities, including the tiered facility structure where en route centers generally pay more than terminal facilities or towers. Other determinants include CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the potential for overtime, especially given the industry's ongoing staffing challenges. For those aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Bloomington, pursuing higher certification, considering shift opportunities, and engaging in the most lucrative facility roles can significantly impact overall earning potentials.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Bloomington, IN in 2026?
Is Bloomington, IN a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Bloomington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Bloomington?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Bloomington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $134,000 for air traffic controllersin the Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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