Air Traffic Controller Salary in Port Huron, MI: $139,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Port Huron, MI earns a median $139,854/year (≈ $67.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Port Huron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $150,058 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Huron, the compensation for air traffic controllers reflects the substantial demands of the job and the frequent necessity for overtime. With an estimated median annual salary of $139,854 for 2026, controllers in this Michigan city earn a pay range from $81,115 at the 10th percentile to $192,260 at the 90th percentile, based on state-level projections and regional cost factors. The local salary is approximately 7.92% lower than the national median of $151,886, yet the potential for extensive overtime often provides controllers at understaffed facilities with substantial additional earnings. These conditions are particularly relevant in Port Huron's labor market, where effective compensation structures address the challenges of recruitment and retention in air traffic management.
About the Port Huron Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,115 | $39.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,695 | $48.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,854 | $67.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,104 | $85.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,260 | $92.44 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Huron
In Port Huron, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,145 (2026 est.). At $139,854, the local median is 7.92% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Huron: You'd be above the median
How Port Huron Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Port Huron median: $139,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Huron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,553 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.92% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Port Huron, MI earn a median of $139,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $141,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Huron 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.
Port Huron, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,058 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,247
2025 BLS Actual
$136,350
2026 Current Est.
$139,854
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Port Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,247 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,089 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,472 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,774 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Huron metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,247 (2019) to $136,350 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,201 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Huron 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) | $81,115 – $100,695 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,695 – $139,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,854 – $178,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,104 – $192,260 |
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 Port Huron
The air traffic control job market in Port Huron features a small workforce comprised of just six air traffic controllers, creating a localized dynamic that influences pay scales. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, the financial landscape is favorable compared to national averages, allowing controllers to stretch their take-home pay further. Within the area, FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach facilities usually offer more competitive salaries than airport control towers, which tend to pay less on the facility level scale. Controllers can enhance their earnings through diligent pursuit of CPC certification, shift differentials, and bonus opportunities such as mandatory overtime, which has been abundant due to chronic staffing shortages throughout the industry. For those in Port Huron, understanding the nuances between different types of facilities and maximizing shifts and overtime can significantly impact overall air traffic controller pay in Port Huron, MI.
More salary data for Port Huron, 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 $136,350 for air traffic controllersin the Port Huron 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 Port Huron 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