Air Traffic Controller Salary in Elkhart, IN: $136,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Elkhart, IN earns a median $136,599/year (≈ $65.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Elkhart's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $149,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elkhart, Indiana, the air traffic controller salary averages $136,599 annually, which falls short of the national median of $151,886 by about 10%. These figures reflect not only a direct annual compensation method but also account for the extended hours often required in understaffed facilities, where controllers may work 50 to 60 hour weeks. With a salary range spanning from $79,227 at the 10th percentile to $201,177 at the 90th percentile, controllers in Elkhart can effectively enhance their earnings through overtime and additional shifts. The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, illustrates a local employment footprint that is manageable, offering a unique perspective on compensation in this regional air traffic control market.
About the Elkhart Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,227 | $38.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,046 | $47.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,599 | $65.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,846 | $84.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,177 | $96.72 |
Median Salary Position
10.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elkhart
In Elkhart, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,950 (2026 est.). At $136,599, the local median is 10.06% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elkhart: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elkhart Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Elkhart median: $136,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elkhart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,679 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.06% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $136,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.06% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Indiana state average of $138,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elkhart 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.
Elkhart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,616 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
$110,611
2025 BLS Actual
$133,176
2026 Current Est.
$136,599
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,293 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,691 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,939 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,553 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,176 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,109 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elkhart metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,611 (2019) to $133,176 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,109 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,498 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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) | $79,227 – $99,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,046 – $136,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,599 – $174,846 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,846 – $201,177 |
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 Elkhart
With only 14 air traffic controllers currently employed in Elkhart, local job opportunities may seem limited, but the cost of living index of 91.3 indicates that purchasing power remains favorable relative to larger markets. Although FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, controllers in this area may find better compensation at terminal radar approach controls or even smaller FAA contract towers. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to the facility level and certification status, where en route controllers at Level 12 receive the highest base pay. To maximize earnings in this market, controllers should pursue CPC certification and consider positions that offer shift differentials and overtime, which are common due to staffing shortages, ultimately impacting how much do air traffic controllers make in Elkhart.
More salary data for Elkhart, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Elkhart, IN in 2026?
Is Elkhart, IN a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Elkhart?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Elkhart?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Elkhart?
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 $133,176 for air traffic controllersin the Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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