Air Traffic Controller Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $144,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $144,134/year (≈ $69.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $154,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grand Rapids, the median annual pay for air traffic controllers is projected to be $144,134 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local market for this highly specialized profession. Air traffic controller salaries in this region range from $83,598 at the 10th percentile to $210,569 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential depending on experience and facility type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic variances. The differences in pay can largely be attributed to the facility tiers: en route centers generally offer higher compensation compared to terminal and tower facilities, a key consideration for prospective controllers in Grand Rapids who are navigating their career paths.
About the Grand Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,598 | $40.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,777 | $49.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,134 | $69.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,492 | $88.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,569 | $101.24 |
Median Salary Position
5.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,971 (2026 est.). At $144,134, the local median is 5.1% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $144,134/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,586 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.10% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $144,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.80% above the Michigan state average of $141,586.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $144,134 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,650 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,713
2025 BLS Actual
$140,523
2026 Current Est.
$144,134
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,713 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,128 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,501 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,523 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $116,713 (2019) to $140,523 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,126 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $83,598 – $103,777 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,777 – $144,134 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,134 – $184,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,492 – $210,569 |
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 Grand Rapids
With 48 controllers currently employed in the Grand Rapids area, the market indicates a stable demand for qualified professionals. The local cost of living index stands at 93.2, slightly below the national average, which can positively influence purchasing power for those in the field. Employers such as FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries in the region, while FAA terminal and tower facilities pay slightly less. Factors contributing to the salary range include facility level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and locality pay. Aspiring controllers should consider seeking positions at higher-tiered facilities and actively pursuing CPC certification to maximize their earning potential in Grand Rapids, particularly as the FAA continues to manage workforce challenges and staffing needs.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 $140,523 for air traffic controllersin the Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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