Air Traffic Controller Salary in Merrillville, IN: $133,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Merrillville, IN earns a median $133,021/year (≈ $63.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Merrillville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $145,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Merrillville, Indiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,021, which reflects a competitive position within the regional labor market. This salary falls within a range of $77,152 at the 10th percentile to $188,131 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential based on experience and certification level. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, suggest that Merrillville's air traffic controller pay is approximately 12.42% lower than the national median of $151,886. This differential can be attributed partly to the local employment landscape, where only a small number of controllers are currently working, as there are just eight individuals employed in this role in the area.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,152 | $37.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,775 | $46.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,021 | $63.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,741 | $81.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,131 | $90.45 |
Median Salary Position
12.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merrillville
In Merrillville, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,979 (2026 est.). At $133,021, the local median is 12.42% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merrillville: You'd be above the median
How Merrillville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Merrillville median: $133,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merrillville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,708 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.42% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Merrillville, IN earn a median of $133,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $138,708.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merrillville 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.
Merrillville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $133,021 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,697 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,714
2025 BLS Actual
$129,688
2026 Current Est.
$133,021
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,221 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,635 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,824 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,102 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merrillville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,714 (2019) to $129,688 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,726 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merrillville 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) | $77,152 – $95,775 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,775 – $133,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,021 – $169,741 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,741 – $188,131 |
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 Merrillville
As potential controllers consider the job market in Merrillville, it's vital to examine the local dynamics influencing compensation. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, this region is more affordable than many others, allowing for a better standard of living—even when accounting for the lower air traffic controller salary in Merrillville compared to national averages. The pay scales across various facility types provide insight into earning potential; those employed at en route centers generally command higher salaries than their counterparts in terminal or tower facilities. Furthermore, factors such as certification status, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities significantly affect actual earning potential. For controllers aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Merrillville, pursuing CPC certification and seeking positions that offer ample overtime or favorable shifts can dramatically enhance financial prospects in this competitive field.
More salary data for Merrillville, 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 $129,688 for air traffic controllersin the Merrillville 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 Merrillville 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