Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $126,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $126,901/year (≈ $61.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $140,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Bettendorf, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary projected at $126,901 for the year 2026. This compensation reflects the local market dynamics, with estimates indicating a salary range between $73,602 and $182,981. It's notable that air traffic controller pay in Bettendorf is approximately 16.45% lower than the national median of $151,886, illustrating the impact of regional economic conditions. The salary figures presented here are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, which are particularly relevant considering the staffing challenges within the industry. With 50-60 hour weeks not being uncommon in understaffed facilities, controller salaries in Bettendorf often benefit from substantial overtime, thus enhancing overall compensation and attracting professionals to a demanding yet rewarding career.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,602 | $35.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,867 | $44.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,901 | $61.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,433 | $78.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,981 | $87.97 |
Median Salary Position
16.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,379 (2026 est.). At $126,901, the local median is 16.45% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $126,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $132,880 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.45% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $126,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.45% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $132,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf 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.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,901 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,758
2025 BLS Actual
$123,721
2026 Current Est.
$126,901
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,966 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,406 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,495 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,781 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,758 (2019) to $123,721 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,404 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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) | $73,602 – $91,867 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,867 – $126,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,901 – $162,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,433 – $182,981 |
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 Bettendorf
In terms of employment, Bettendorf’s air traffic control sector employs 10 professionals, with unique local factors influencing how much do air traffic controllers make in Bettendorf. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, offering some purchasing power advantages to controllers compared to the national average. The highest salaries can typically be found at FAA en route facilities, particularly given the scarcity of high-altitude traffic management positions compared to terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers. Variability in pay across facilities arises from factors like facility level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and ample overtime opportunities that currently dominate the market due to persistent staffing shortages. To maximize their pay, air traffic controllers in Bettendorf should consider aiming for higher-level positions, actively seeking shift differentials, and taking on overtime hours to increase their total earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Bettendorf, 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 $123,721 for air traffic controllersin the Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf 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