Air Traffic Controller Salary in Westland, MI: $142,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Westland, MI earns a median $142,065/year (≈ $68.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Westland's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $152,430 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Westland, Michigan are projected to earn a median annual salary of $142,065, which is approximately 6.47% below the national median for this profession, estimated at $151,886. The salary range in this area is notably wide, with entry-level positions starting around $82,398 and experienced professionals making upward of $200,339. These figures stem from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for regional cost factors. As Westland's job market offers a limited number of positions—currently employing only 14 air traffic controllers—the compensation may reflect the blend of facility types present, which include tower and terminal operations, influencing the overall pay dynamics in this city.
About the Westland Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,398 | $39.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,287 | $49.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,065 | $68.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,549 | $86.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,339 | $96.31 |
Median Salary Position
6.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westland
In Westland, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,941 (2026 est.). At $142,065, the local median is 6.47% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westland: You'd be above the median
How Westland Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Westland median: $142,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,499 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.47% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Westland, MI earn a median of $142,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.47% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% above the Michigan state average of $141,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westland 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.
Westland, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,065 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,430 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,037
2025 BLS Actual
$138,505
2026 Current Est.
$142,065
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Westland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,987 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,699 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,465 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,505 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westland metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,037 (2019) to $138,505 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,679 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westland 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) | $82,398 – $102,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,287 – $142,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,065 – $179,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,549 – $200,339 |
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 Westland
With a cost of living index pegged at 93.2, Westland provides an advantageous environment for air traffic controller pay. This index suggests that despite earning lower salaries compared to the national average, local purchasing power remains competitive. Controllers affiliated with FAA terminal radar approach control tend to receive the highest salaries, while those in FAA airport traffic control towers might earn less due to the facility tier system. The variation in compensation is also influenced by certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime due to chronic staffing shortages. Maximizing earnings in the Westland market involves not only seeking positions at higher-tier facilities but also capitalizing on overtime opportunities and striving for certified professional controller (CPC) status to move into higher salary brackets.
More salary data for Westland, 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 $138,505 for air traffic controllersin the Westland 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 Westland 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