Air Traffic Controller Salary in Southfield, MI: $141,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Southfield, MI earns a median $141,179/year (≈ $67.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Southfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $151,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Southfield, Michigan, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $141,179 in 2026, reflecting the distinct tiers of the ATC facility system that play a significant role in local compensation. With an annual salary range stretching from $81,884 at the 10th percentile to $210,972 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a robust earning potential for those working in en route centers compared to their peers in terminal or tower facilities. The salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, highlighting a nuanced salary picture that is influenced by both the type of facility and the specifics of job certification status in Southfield's air traffic control market.
About the Southfield Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,884 | $39.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,649 | $48.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,179 | $67.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,710 | $86.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,972 | $101.43 |
Median Salary Position
7.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southfield
In Southfield, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,088 (2026 est.). At $141,179, the local median is 7.05% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Southfield Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Southfield median: $141,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,604 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.05% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Southfield, MI earn a median of $141,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.05% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $141,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southfield 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.
Southfield, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,179 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,480 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,321
2025 BLS Actual
$137,642
2026 Current Est.
$141,179
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Southfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,321 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,227 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,604 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,696 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,642 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southfield metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,321 (2019) to $137,642 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,487 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southfield 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) | $81,884 – $101,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,649 – $141,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,179 – $180,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,710 – $210,972 |
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 Southfield
Examining the job market in Southfield reveals that there are currently 19 air traffic controllers employed, a relatively modest number that may contribute to competitive pay environments, especially given the cost-of-living index of 93.2—indicating that local salaries stretch farther than they might in more expensive cities. Key employers in the area, such as FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers, drive variation in pay, with en route centers generally offering higher compensation due to the complexity and volume of traffic managed. Factors like CPC certification, shift differentials, overtime requirements, and locality pay heavily influence the disparity between lower and higher salaries. For aspiring controllers seeking to maximize their earnings, focusing on obtaining higher-tier certifications, selecting shifts with elevated pay rates, and accumulating overtime hours can be strategic moves in navigating this air traffic controller pay environment in Southfield, MI.
More salary data for Southfield, 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 $137,642 for air traffic controllersin the Southfield 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 Southfield 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