Air Traffic Controller Salary in South Bend, IN: $143,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in South Bend, IN earns a median $143,089/year (≈ $68.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $156,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in South Bend, Indiana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $143,089 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary range is quite broad, from $82,991 for entry-level positions to $208,132 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional living costs. The working environment in South Bend's air traffic control facilities often necessitates long hours, especially due to chronic understaffing, which can lead to overtime opportunities that significantly enhance earnings. Controllers who are willing to put in 50 to 60-hour weeks may find that their effective compensation is bolstered, making the pay structure particularly appealing.
About the South Bend Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,991 | $39.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,024 | $49.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,089 | $68.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,154 | $88.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,132 | $100.07 |
Median Salary Position
5.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,141 (2026 est.). At $143,089, the local median is 5.79% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Bend Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
South Bend median: $143,089/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,652 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.79% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in South Bend, IN earn a median of $143,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.79% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.20% above the Indiana state average of $138,652.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend 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.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,089 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,867
2025 BLS Actual
$139,504
2026 Current Est.
$143,089
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,867 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,236 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,424 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,767 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,867 (2019) to $139,504 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,767 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,900 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $82,991 – $103,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,024 – $143,089 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,089 – $183,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,154 – $208,132 |
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 South Bend
Within South Bend, the market for air traffic controllers consists of about 26 professionals, indicating a specialized local workforce that may benefit from focused training and experience. The cost of living in the area is relatively low, with an index of 91.3, which improves the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the employers in the region, the FAA operates various control facilities, including en route centers, which typically offer higher payscale levels compared to terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers. Factors contributing to pay grades include facility classification, certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers who maximize their earning potential often seek additional overtime, pursue certification at higher levels, and stay flexible with their scheduling to take advantage of peak traffic management opportunities. This proactive approach can make a noteworthy difference in an air traffic controller's overall compensation in South Bend.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 $139,504 for air traffic controllersin the South Bend 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 South Bend 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