Air Traffic Controller Salary in Urbandale, IA: $126,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Urbandale, IA earns a median $126,911/year (≈ $61.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $140,388 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, the air traffic controller salary for 2026 is projected to reach an annual median of $126,911. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $151,886, placing local compensation about 16.44% behind the national average. However, many controllers in the area work 50 to 60 hours per week due to understaffed facilities, which can significantly boost their effective earnings through overtime. The salary range in Urbandale varies widely, from a P10 of $73,608 to a P90 of $178,524, reflecting differing levels of experience and responsibility. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors paint a vivid picture of the local air traffic control job market.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,608 | $35.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,886 | $44.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,911 | $61.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,261 | $77.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,524 | $85.83 |
Median Salary Position
16.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,916 (2026 est.). At $126,911, the local median is 16.44% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be above the median
How Urbandale Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $126,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $132,891 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.44% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $126,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.44% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $132,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,911 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,388 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,767
2025 BLS Actual
$123,731
2026 Current Est.
$126,911
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,767 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,975 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,415 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,504 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,731 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,767 (2019) to $123,731 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,405 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $73,608 – $91,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,886 – $126,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,911 – $161,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,261 – $178,524 |
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 Urbandale
While Urbandale employs only 12 air traffic controllers, the labor market remains competitive, especially when considering the local cost of living, which stands at a favorable index of 90.4. This lower cost of living enhances purchasing power, even as salaries remain relatively modest compared to national figures. Top employers in the area typically include FAA facilities such as en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, which generally provide higher pay than airport traffic control towers. The variation in salaries often results from a combination of facility level, certification status, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime, all of which can influence total earnings. For those looking to maximize air traffic controller pay in Urbandale, strategies like pursuing CPC certification, seeking positions with FAA en route centers, and being open to overtime opportunities will be crucial to capitalizing on the available compensation options.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $123,731 for air traffic controllersin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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