Air Traffic Controller Salary in Ames, IA: $132,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Ames, IA earns a median $132,179/year (≈ $63.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Ames's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $146,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ames, Iowa, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $132,179 in 2026, which reflects a significant 12.97% lower than the national median of $151,886. The salary landscape here ranges from $76,664 at the lower end to $197,353 for those in the upper echelons of the profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, illustrate a clear disparity when comparing the local market to more competitive areas. Factors such as the type of facility influence compensation, as en route controllers typically earn more than their terminal or tower counterparts, resulting in varying pay structures across the region.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,664 | $36.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,169 | $45.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,179 | $63.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,189 | $81.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,353 | $94.88 |
Median Salary Position
12.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,689 (2026 est.). At $132,179, the local median is 12.97% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Ames median: $132,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $132,843 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.97% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Ames, IA earn a median of $132,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $132,843.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,179 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,216 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% 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
$107,032
2025 BLS Actual
$128,867
2026 Current Est.
$132,179
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,915 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,555 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,146 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,032 (2019) to $128,867 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,544 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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) | $76,664 – $95,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,169 – $132,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,179 – $169,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,189 – $197,353 |
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 Ames
The local job market hosts 12 air traffic controllers in Ames, where the cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating a lower-than-average expense level that contributes positively to overall purchasing power. Among employers, FAA en route centers generally provide higher pay opportunities compared to terminal and tower facilities. The pay spread within the field is affected by critical variables including facility tier, CPC certification, shift differentials, and the necessity for overtime. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Ames, actively seeking positions at higher-tier facilities, lobbying for overtime, and maintaining a strong performance record for career advancement can significantly impact earnings over time.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Is Ames, IA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Ames?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Ames?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Ames?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $128,867 for air traffic controllersin the Ames 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 Ames 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