Air Traffic Controller Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $128,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $128,275/year (≈ $61.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $141,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, becoming a certified air traffic controller can result in a competitive median annual salary of $128,275 for 2026. This figure indicates a fair compensation compared to national metrics, where the average air traffic controller salary sits at $151,886, illustrating a salary disadvantage of 15.55%. The projected salary range for this role in the area varies significantly, from $74,399 at the 10th percentile to $183,910 at the 90th percentile, allowing for variations based on experience and facility type. The estimates in this report are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting the dynamics of the local labor market, which can be influenced by the presence of only 12 air traffic controllers currently employed in the area.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,399 | $35.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,358 | $44.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,275 | $61.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,192 | $78.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,910 | $88.42 |
Median Salary Position
15.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,511 (2026 est.). At $128,275, the local median is 15.55% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $128,275/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $132,790 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -15.55% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $128,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.55% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $132,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $128,275 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,897 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,871
2025 BLS Actual
$125,061
2026 Current Est.
$128,275
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,146 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,024 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $103,871 (2019) to $125,061 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,701 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $74,399 – $92,358 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,358 – $128,275 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,275 – $164,192 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,192 – $183,910 |
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 Council Bluffs
For individuals considering a career as an air traffic controller in Council Bluffs, understanding the local job market's nuances can be vital for maximizing potential earnings. The cost-of-living index in the area is 90.4, which indicates that despite the competitive salaries available, purchasing power is relatively higher than many other regions. Among the various employers, the highest-paying positions often arise from FAA en route centers that manage high-altitude traffic, followed closely by terminal and tower facilities. The spread in compensation can be attributed to factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and various shift differentials, along with abundant mandatory overtime work. To effectively enhance earning potential in this market, aspiring controllers should pursue opportunities at higher-tier facilities and consider additional training to achieve CPC status as quickly as possible, while leveraging overtime incentives to further boost their compensation package.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $125,061 for air traffic controllersin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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