Air Traffic Controller Salary in Ankeny, IA: $129,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Ankeny, IA earns a median $129,085/year (≈ $62.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $142,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, air traffic controllers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $129,085 in 2026, considerably lower than the national median of $151,886. The local salary range spans from $74,870 at the 10th percentile to $191,041 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a typical tiered pay structure aligned with employment conditions. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account regional price adjustments, which are relevant given the cost of living index of 90.4 in Ankeny. With a workforce of only 16 air traffic controllers in the area, those entering this profession can expect to work in a context characterized by chronic understaffing, often leading to extended hours that can enhance overall compensation through overtime.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,870 | $35.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,942 | $44.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,085 | $62.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,229 | $79.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,041 | $91.85 |
Median Salary Position
15.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,171 (2026 est.). At $129,085, the local median is 15.01% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $129,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $132,804 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -15.01% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $129,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.01% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $132,804.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny 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.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $129,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,527
2025 BLS Actual
$125,851
2026 Current Est.
$129,085
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,527 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,397 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,757 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,452 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,851 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $104,527 (2019) to $125,851 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,876 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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) | $74,870 – $92,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,942 – $129,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,085 – $165,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,229 – $191,041 |
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 Ankeny
The job market for air traffic controllers in Ankeny is both competitive and constrained, shaped by local demand and cost considerations. With a cost of living index below the national average, controllers may find their take-home purchasing power positively impacted. Employers in Ankeny include various FAA facilities, with en route centers typically offering the highest compensation. To maximize earning potential, controllers can pursue options such as obtaining CPC certification, which allows for higher base pay and opportunities for shift differentials and overtime. Strategies to enhance earnings include seeking employment at FAA ARTCCs and focusing on securing mandatory overtime shifts. Given the age 56 mandatory retirement and staffing shortages, air traffic controllers in Ankeny must navigate these dynamics carefully to achieve optimal compensation in a fluctuating work environment.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
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 $125,851 for air traffic controllersin the Ankeny 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 Ankeny 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