Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shelbyville, IN: $132,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shelbyville, IN earns a median $132,077/year (≈ $63.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shelbyville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $144,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual air traffic controller salary in Shelbyville, Indiana, stands at $132,077 for 2026, considerably below the national median of $151,886. Local salaries range from $76,604 at the 10th percentile to $174,961 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse compensation landscape. Understaffed facilities often necessitate 50-60 hour workweeks, significantly impacting the effective compensation for controllers. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional living costs, illustrating the unique economic conditions facing professionals in Shelbyville.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,604 | $36.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,096 | $45.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,077 | $63.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,767 | $77.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,961 | $84.12 |
Median Salary Position
13.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,357 (2026 est.). At $132,077, the local median is 13.04% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelbyville: You'd be above the median
How Shelbyville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shelbyville median: $132,077/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelbyville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,737 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.04% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shelbyville, IN earn a median of $132,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.80% below the Indiana state average of $138,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelbyville 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.
Shelbyville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,077 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,950
2025 BLS Actual
$128,768
2026 Current Est.
$132,077
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,411 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,002 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,463 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,472 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelbyville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,950 (2019) to $128,768 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,472 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,522 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelbyville 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) | $76,604 – $95,096 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,096 – $132,077 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,077 – $161,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,767 – $174,961 |
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 Shelbyville
Employment for air traffic controllers in Shelbyville remains limited, with just five controllers in the area. The cost of living index here is 91.3, which is below the national average, suggesting that controllers could have relatively better purchasing power compared to many other regions with higher living costs. Pay scales vary markedly depending on the type of facility—en route centers typically offer higher salaries than terminal and control tower positions. Given the ongoing staffing shortages in the FAA, opportunities for overtime abound, presenting a viable strategy for boosting income. Prioritizing positions at en route facilities or attaining CPC certification can also propel salary potential significantly. As air traffic controllers in Shelbyville navigate their career paths, understanding these dynamics will be key to optimizing their overall compensation.
More salary data for Shelbyville, 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 $128,768 for air traffic controllersin the Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville 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