Air Traffic Controller Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $126,509 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $126,509/year (≈ $60.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $139,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Marshalltown, IA, is projected to reach a median of $126,509, which reflects a noticeable gap when compared to the national median of $151,886. Controllers within the area can expect to find their annual pay ranging from $73,376 at the lower tenth percentile to a robust $177,193 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, which indicates that while the earnings in Marshalltown offer a solid wage, they do not measure up to the competitive figures found in more prominent locations. Marshalltown's market primarily features FAA facility tiers that influence pay, where en route centers typically yield higher compensation than terminal and tower facilities, shaping the overall salary opportunities within this local aviation sector.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,376 | $35.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,086 | $43.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,509 | $60.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,378 | $77.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,193 | $85.18 |
Median Salary Position
16.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,817 (2026 est.). At $126,509, the local median is 16.71% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be above the median
How Marshalltown Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $126,509/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $132,887 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.71% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $126,509 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.71% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $132,887.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown 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.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,509 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,944 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,441
2025 BLS Actual
$123,339
2026 Current Est.
$126,509
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,441 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,154 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,207 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,339 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,509 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,760 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,441 (2019) to $123,339 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,760 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,319 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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) | $73,376 – $91,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,086 – $126,509 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,509 – $160,378 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,378 – $177,193 |
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 Marshalltown
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Marshalltown is relatively small, with only eight controllers currently employed in the area. This limited workforce may present a unique opportunity for incoming applicants, especially considering the cost of living index stands at a favorable 90.4, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than it would in higher-cost regions. The highest-paying roles in the city are likely concentrated within specific agency setups, such as FAA en route centers or high-demand contract towers. Those seeking to maximize air traffic controller pay in Marshalltown, IA, should consider obtaining CPC certification, which qualifies individuals for higher pay scales and allows them to take advantage of potential overtime opportunities, shift differentials, and locality pay over time. The competitive edge often relies on when and where controllers are willing to work, especially given the current chronic understaffing across the sector, which frequently necessitates mandatory overtime and can yield increased earnings for those in the field.
More salary data for Marshalltown, 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 $123,339 for air traffic controllersin the Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown 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