Air Traffic Controller Salary in Kentucky: $134,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $134,545/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $150,666 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($137,370), Lexington ($132,284), Owensboro ($127,030).
In Kentucky, the average median salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is projected at $134,544, which is approximately 11.4% lower than the national median of $151,886. Louisville is the highest paying city in the state, with an expected salary of $140,900, while Murray ranks as the lowest at $120,877. This salary difference of $20,023 may be influenced by factors such as the higher volume of air traffic and operational complexity in Louisville compared to smaller markets like Murray. As of 2026, Kentucky has a total of 328 employed air traffic controllers, with the following top cities projected to have the highest salaries: Louisville at $140,900, Lexington at $135,684, Owensboro at $130,295, Independence at $128,215, and Bowling Green at $128,095. Furthermore, the job market for air traffic controllers in Kentucky is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.57%, indicating a steady demand for qualified professionals. While state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws may differ from those in other states, the overall demand for air traffic controllers in Kentucky is driven by increasing air travel and operational needs within the state. Potential candidates should remain informed about local market conditions and prepare for an evolving employment landscape.
Kentucky Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $71,159 (lowest entry-level) to $212,396 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky air traffic controllers earn 11.42% less than the national median ($-17,341/year difference).
Kentucky Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Kentucky range from $78,067 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $200,146 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $134,545. The Kentucky median is $17,341 below the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $64.68/hr. Approximately 328 air traffic controllers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$108,948
2025 BLS Actual
$131,173
2026 Current Est.
$134,545
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,151 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,695 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,701 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,948 (2019) to $131,173 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,054 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $120,877 |
| Jeffersontown | $122,688 |
| Paducah | $122,839 |
| Ashland | $122,947 |
| Madisonville | $123,122 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $140,900 | 89.3 | $157,783 |
| Lexington | $135,684 | 89.3 | $151,942 |
| Owensboro | $130,295 | 89.3 | $145,907 |
| Independence | $128,215 | 89.3 | $143,578 |
| Bowling Green | $128,095 | 89.3 | $143,443 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,067 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $134,545 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $200,146 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $140,900 |
| 2 | Lexington | $135,684 |
| 3 | Owensboro | $130,295 |
| 4 | Independence | $128,215 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $128,095 |
| 6 | Florence | $128,064 |
| 7 | Covington | $127,522 |
| 8 | Nicholasville | $127,281 |
| 9 | Richmond | $127,251 |
| 10 | Frankfort | $126,600 |
| 11 | Henderson | $126,389 |
| 12 | Elizabethtown | $126,299 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $125,937 |
| 14 | Radcliff | $124,015 |
| 15 | Georgetown | $123,580 |
| 16 | Madisonville | $123,122 |
| 17 | Ashland | $122,947 |
| 18 | Paducah | $122,839 |
| 19 | Jeffersontown | $122,688 |
| 20 | Murray | $120,877 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Kentucky?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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