Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brooklyn Park, MN: $148,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Brooklyn Park, MN earns a median $148,319/year (≈ $71.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Brooklyn Park's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $150,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota can expect a median annual salary of $148,319, which reflects a competitive position relative to the national average. Compensation for this role ranges from $86,025 at the lower end to $220,337 for the most experienced professionals. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities. Notably, the effective pay can significantly rise due to the economics of overtime, with many controllers working 50-60 hour weeks at facilities that are often understaffed. This leads to a compelling compensation picture that emphasizes actual earnings far beyond base salaries, crucial for anyone considering a career in air traffic control in Brooklyn Park.
About the Brooklyn Park Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,025 | $41.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,683 | $52.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,319 | $71.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,507 | $90.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,337 | $105.93 |
Median Salary Position
2.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brooklyn Park
In Brooklyn Park, MN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,312 (2026 est.). At $148,319, the local median is 2.35% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brooklyn Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brooklyn Park Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Brooklyn Park median: $148,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brooklyn Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $149,666 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.35% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Brooklyn Park, MN earn a median of $148,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.35% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Minnesota state average of $149,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brooklyn Park has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brooklyn Park, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $148,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,102
2025 BLS Actual
$144,603
2026 Current Est.
$148,319
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brooklyn Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,358 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,154 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brooklyn Park metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $120,102 (2019) to $144,603 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,029 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brooklyn Park 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) | $86,025 – $108,683 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,683 – $148,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,319 – $188,507 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,507 – $220,337 |
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 Brooklyn Park
Within the local job market, 17 air traffic controllers are currently employed, suggesting a specialized yet relatively small professional community. Together with a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the effective take-home pay is positively impacted, providing more purchasing power than the lower index might suggest. Controllers working at FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and en route centers typically earn higher wages compared to those in FAA airport traffic control towers, thanks to varying facility levels and employee certification statuses. Factors such as shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and locality pay also significantly influence compensation variations in Brooklyn Park. By pursuing opportunities for additional certifications and strategically taking on extra shifts, aspiring controllers can maximize their pay and improve their financial standing in this local market.
More salary data for Brooklyn Park, MN:
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 $144,603 for air traffic controllersin the Brooklyn Park 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 Brooklyn Park 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