Air Traffic Controller Salary in Granger, IN: $132,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Granger, IN earns a median $132,978/year (≈ $63.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Granger's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $145,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Granger, Indiana, air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $132,978 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $151,886. The salary range for this occupation in the area extends from $77,128 at the 10th percentile to $188,317 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 using regional price adjustments, reflecting the local economic conditions unique to Granger. Given the facility tier system, controllers at en route Level 12 generally command higher salaries compared to those in terminal or tower facilities, directly impacting earning potential in this market.
About the Granger Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,128 | $37.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,863 | $46.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,978 | $63.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,434 | $81.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,317 | $90.54 |
Median Salary Position
12.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Granger
In Granger, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,189 (2026 est.). At $132,978, the local median is 12.45% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Granger: You'd be above the median
How Granger Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Granger median: $132,978/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Granger Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,663 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.45% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Granger, IN earn a median of $132,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.45% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $138,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Granger 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.
Granger, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,978 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,650 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
$107,679
2025 BLS Actual
$129,646
2026 Current Est.
$132,978
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Granger (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,679 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,184 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,598 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,787 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,278 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Granger metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,679 (2019) to $129,646 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,716 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Granger 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) | $77,128 – $96,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,863 – $132,978 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,978 – $169,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,434 – $188,317 |
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 Granger
With only seven air traffic controllers employed in Granger, the local job market for this role is relatively limited. The cost of living index in Granger stands at 91.3, suggesting that while salaries are lower than the national average, the purchasing power may be more favorable, making basic expenses manageable. Employers in the area, primarily FAA facilities, contribute to the earnings disparity; en route centers typically offer the highest compensation, while tower locations follow. To maximize air traffic controller pay in Granger IN, one should focus on seeking positions at en route centers, obtaining Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, and taking advantage of night or holiday shifts for additional income. Overtime opportunities often arise due to ongoing understaffing, allowing controllers to further enhance their take-home pay through mandated special duty assignments.
More salary data for Granger, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Granger, IN in 2026?
Is Granger, IN a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Granger?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Granger?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Granger?
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 $129,646 for air traffic controllersin the Granger 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 Granger 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