Air Traffic Controller Salary in Owensboro, KY: $130,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Owensboro, KY earns a median $130,295/year (≈ $62.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $145,907 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median air traffic controller salary in Owensboro, KY is set at $130,295, reflecting the economic pressures of the profession amidst a backdrop of chronic understaffing. Air traffic controllers often face the reality of 50-60 hour workweeks, which can significantly boost overall compensation through mandated overtime. The salary range for these positions spans from $75,570 at the lower 10th percentile to $184,950 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors. As air traffic control continues to be a critical, yet understaffed, field in Owensboro, the demand for skilled professionals suggests a competitive salary environment.
About the Owensboro Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,813 | $45.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,295 | $62.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,398 | $79.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,950 | $88.92 |
Median Salary Position
14.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,380 (2026 est.). At $130,295, the local median is 14.22% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be above the median
How Owensboro Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $130,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $129,261 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.22% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $130,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.22% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% above the Kentucky state average of $129,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $130,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,907 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$105,507
2025 BLS Actual
$127,030
2026 Current Est.
$130,295
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,507 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,851 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,643 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $105,507 (2019) to $127,030 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,643 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,136 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $75,570 – $93,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,813 – $130,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,295 – $165,398 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,398 – $184,950 |
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 Owensboro
With only 14 air traffic controllers currently employed in Owensboro, local job market dynamics play a substantial role in shaping compensation. The cost-of-living index sits at 89.3, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, controllers' purchasing power is relatively strengthened by lower living expenses. The highest pay is generally found in FAA en route facilities, where air traffic controllers manage high-altitude traffic, although lesser salaries may apply at FAA contract towers and smaller airports. Factors contributing to discrepancies in pay include facility type, CPC certification status, overtime availability, and shift differentials. Controllers looking to maximize their earnings in this unique market should explore opportunities for mandatory overtime, seek advanced certifications, and consider shifts that offer additional premiums in order to enhance their overall compensation package in Owensboro.
More salary data for Owensboro, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Owensboro, KY in 2026?
Is Owensboro, KY a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Owensboro?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Owensboro?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Owensboro?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kentucky
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 $127,030 for air traffic controllersin the Owensboro 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 Owensboro 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