Air Traffic Controller Salary in Saginaw, MI: $139,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Saginaw, MI earns a median $139,502/year (≈ $67.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Saginaw's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $149,680 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Saginaw, Michigan, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $139,502, slightly below the national median of $151,886. Pay varies significantly across different facility tiers, with salaries ranging from $80,911 at the 10th percentile to $196,367 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the intricacies of the local job market for air traffic controllers. With the presence of FAA facilities in the area, controllers may find opportunities to advance their careers and potentially improve their earnings in Saginaw's evolving air traffic control landscape.
About the Saginaw Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,911 | $38.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,442 | $48.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,502 | $67.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,022 | $85.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,367 | $94.41 |
Median Salary Position
8.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Saginaw
In Saginaw, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,456 (2026 est.). At $139,502, the local median is 8.15% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Saginaw: You'd be above the median
How Saginaw Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Saginaw median: $139,502/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Saginaw Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,627 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.15% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Saginaw, MI earn a median of $139,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.15% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Michigan state average of $141,627.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Saginaw 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.
Saginaw, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,502 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,680 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,963
2025 BLS Actual
$136,007
2026 Current Est.
$139,502
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Saginaw (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,787 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,171 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,179 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,238 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,007 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Saginaw metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $112,963 (2019) to $136,007 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,125 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Saginaw 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) | $80,911 – $100,442 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,442 – $139,502 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,502 – $177,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,022 – $196,367 |
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 Saginaw
Currently, Saginaw employs a modest number of air traffic controllers, with only seven positions available, highlighting both the competitive and niche nature of this local job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.2, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to national figures, the purchasing power may remain reasonable. FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal control and airport towers. However, low pay tiers could result from facility types and the varying demands of the job, including shift differentials and overtime availability. Advancing through certification or seeking positions at en route centers could enhance earning potential, making strategic career moves essential for those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Saginaw, MI.
More salary data for Saginaw, 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 $136,007 for air traffic controllersin the Saginaw 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 Saginaw 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