Air Traffic Controller Salary in Evansville, IN: $141,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Evansville, IN earns a median $141,756/year (≈ $68.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Evansville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $155,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary in Evansville, Indiana, is set to reach $141,756, which reflects a competitive position relative to the national median of $151,886. Salaries for air traffic controllers here range from a lower tier of $82,218 to an upper level of $203,439. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living. As Evansville’s air traffic control sector continues to grow, the path to maximizing pay is heavily influenced by the certification timeline; controllers generally take 1-3 years to achieve full pay as they progress from developmental status to Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs), impacting early career earnings.
About the Evansville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,218 | $39.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,064 | $49.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,756 | $68.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,666 | $86.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,439 | $97.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evansville
In Evansville, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,221 (2026 est.). At $141,756, the local median is 6.67% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evansville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evansville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Evansville median: $141,756/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evansville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,704 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.67% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Evansville, IN earn a median of $141,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.67% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.20% above the Indiana state average of $138,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evansville 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.
Evansville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,756 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,787
2025 BLS Actual
$138,204
2026 Current Est.
$141,756
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,722 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,096 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,218 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,463 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,399 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evansville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,787 (2019) to $138,204 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,399 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,612 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville 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) | $82,218 – $102,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,064 – $141,756 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,756 – $180,666 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,666 – $203,439 |
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 Evansville
The air traffic controller job market in Evansville features 26 professionals actively employed, with a cost-of-living index currently at 91.3, signaling that take-home pay can go further in the region compared to more expensive areas. Controllers in this city typically find employment across various FAA facilities, but the most lucrative positions are usually found at FAA en route centers and TRACONs. Pay disparities largely arise from the differing levels of facility complexity, CPC certification status, and shift differentials, which can add significantly to earnings. Controllers aiming to boost their compensation in Evansville should consider targeting high-traffic facilities and opting for positions that offer abundant overtime, as the chronic staffing shortages often result in consistent work opportunities that can elevate yearly income.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
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 $138,204 for air traffic controllersin the Evansville 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 Evansville 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