Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shelby Township, MI: $142,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shelby Township, MI earns a median $142,737/year (≈ $68.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shelby Township's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $153,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Shelby Township, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $142,737, which falls below the national median of $151,886. This compensation reflects local conditions and captures a salary range from $82,787 at the 10th percentile to $207,865 at the 90th percentile. As these figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, they provide a clear picture of the financial landscape for air traffic controllers in this area. With the pathway to a fully certified air traffic controller typically taking 1-3 years, those in training can start earning significantly while working towards their certification and higher pay tiers.
About the Shelby Township Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,787 | $39.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,771 | $49.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,737 | $68.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,704 | $87.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,865 | $99.93 |
Median Salary Position
6.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelby Township
In Shelby Township, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,078 (2026 est.). At $142,737, the local median is 6.02% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelby Township: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shelby Township Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shelby Township median: $142,737/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelby Township Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,605 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.02% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shelby Township, MI earn a median of $142,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% above the Michigan state average of $141,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelby Township 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.
Shelby Township, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,737 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,151 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,582
2025 BLS Actual
$139,161
2026 Current Est.
$142,737
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shelby Township (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,935 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,049 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,161 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,406 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelby Township metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,582 (2019) to $139,161 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,406 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,824 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelby Township 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) | $82,787 – $102,771 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,771 – $142,737 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,737 – $182,704 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,704 – $207,865 |
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 Shelby Township
Currently, there are 21 air traffic controllers employed in Shelby Township, contributing to a competitive job market given the cost of living index at 93.2, which is below the national average. This lower index means that controllers may have an enhanced take-home purchasing power relative to their salaries. Among local employers, the FAA primarily oversees operations, with en route centers generally offering the most substantial compensation. Factors influencing the pay disparity include the type of facility—en route Level 12 centers provide higher base pay than terminal and tower facilities—along with certification status, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime. Aspiring controllers in Shelby Township can optimize their earnings by pursuing roles at en route facilities, seeking CPC certification quickly, and being open to shift work that includes nights and weekends for added pay incentives.
More salary data for Shelby Township, 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 $139,161 for air traffic controllersin the Shelby Township 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 Shelby Township 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