Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lansing, MI: $143,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lansing, MI earns a median $143,346/year (≈ $68.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lansing's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $153,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lansing, MI, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers is $143,346 for 2026. This figure reflects the economic dynamics of the local job market, where controllers often work 50 to 60-hour weeks due to chronic understaffing, which results in effective compounding of salary through overtime. The salary range for air traffic controllers in the area spans from $83,140 at the 10th percentile to $217,558 at the 90th percentile. Utilizing estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity, these numbers suggest that while controllers in Lansing earn slightly below the national median of $151,886, there remains a competitive salary structure that reflects the pressures of high-demand shifts and operational needs in air traffic management.
About the Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,140 | $39.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,208 | $50.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,346 | $68.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,482 | $88.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,558 | $104.59 |
Median Salary Position
5.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lansing
In Lansing, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,418 (2026 est.). At $143,346, the local median is 5.62% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lansing: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lansing Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lansing median: $143,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lansing Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,506 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.62% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lansing, MI earn a median of $143,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.62% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.30% above the Michigan state average of $141,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lansing 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.
Lansing, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,346 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,075
2025 BLS Actual
$139,754
2026 Current Est.
$143,346
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,075 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,087 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,814 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,656 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,754 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lansing metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $116,075 (2019) to $139,754 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,955 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lansing 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) | $83,140 – $104,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,208 – $143,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,346 – $183,482 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,482 – $217,558 |
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 Lansing
Lansing's labor market currently employs 19 air traffic controllers, with compensation strategies designed to attract and retain these professionals amid a cost of living index of 93.2, below the national average. The relatively low cost of living enhances purchasing power, allowing local controllers to better manage their income. Employers in this region typically include FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers, each offering different pay scales based on responsibilities and traffic volume managed. High compensation often correlates with the facility's complexity, experience level, and the nature of shifts worked—controllers at en route facilities tend to earn more than those in terminal or tower roles. To maximize earnings in Lansing, prospective controllers should pursue CPC certification, seek out prime overtime opportunities, and consider positions that provide shift differentials or additional incentives for complex or high-demand operations.
More salary data for Lansing, 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 $139,754 for air traffic controllersin the Lansing 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 Lansing 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