Air Traffic Controller Salary in Prairie Village, KS: $124,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Prairie Village, KS earns a median $124,733/year (≈ $59.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Prairie Village's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $137,220 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controller salaries in Prairie Village, Kansas are projected to have a median annual income of $124,733, reflecting a significant variation within the profession. The salary ranges from $75,309 at the P10 level to $173,618 at the P90 level, highlighting the disparities based on experience, role, and responsibilities. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions and cost of living in Prairie Village, which sits below the national average, presenting a unique economic environment for controllers. Despite the attractive salary, the local job market for this profession remains modest, with only six air traffic controllers currently employed in the area, indicating a specialized yet limited employment landscape.
About the Prairie Village Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,309 | $36.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,902 | $45.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,733 | $59.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,962 | $75.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,618 | $83.47 |
Median Salary Position
17.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prairie Village
In Prairie Village, KS, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,309 (2026 est.). At $124,733, the local median is 17.88% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prairie Village: You'd be above the median
How Prairie Village Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Prairie Village median: $124,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prairie Village Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $132,836 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -17.88% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Prairie Village, KS earn a median of $124,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.88% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.10% below the Kansas state average of $132,836.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prairie Village has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Prairie Village, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $124,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,220 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,003
2025 BLS Actual
$121,608
2026 Current Est.
$124,733
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Prairie Village (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,105 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,701 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prairie Village metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $101,003 (2019) to $121,608 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,936 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prairie Village 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) | $75,309 – $93,902 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,902 – $124,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,733 – $157,962 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,962 – $173,618 |
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 Prairie Village
In Prairie Village, the local job market for air traffic controllers encompasses a focused group of six individuals, contributing to the economic dynamics of the region. The area's cost-of-living index of 90.9 suggests that while salaries remain competitive, the purchasing power of controllers might be impacted compared to those in higher-cost locales. Among the key employers, FAA en route centers tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities, followed closely by terminal facilities and airport control towers, where compensation structures are influenced by factors such as CPC certification status and facility type. Strategies to maximize pay include pursuing higher tiers of facility assignments and taking advantage of available overtime and shift differentials, reflecting the need for skilled controllers in the face of chronic staffing challenges that continue to plague the FAA. Understanding these nuances can help those in the field effectively navigate their career trajectory and enhance their earning potential in Prairie Village, KS.
More salary data for Prairie Village, KS:
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 $121,608 for air traffic controllersin the Prairie Village 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 Prairie Village 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