Air Traffic Controller Salary in Burnsville, MN: $147,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Burnsville, MN earns a median $147,537/year (≈ $70.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Burnsville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $149,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burnsville, Minnesota, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $147,537 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary range for these professionals runs from $85,571 at the 10th percentile to $217,238 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity in pay depending on experience and certification level. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for state-level variables and regional price differences. With the unique path to full pay typically requiring 1-3 years to achieve CPC (Certified Professional Controller) certification, controllers in Burnsville must navigate developmental pay scales that start at 65-75% of full pay before reaching the heightened earning potential associated with seniority and specialization.
About the Burnsville Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,571 | $41.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,174 | $51.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,537 | $70.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,847 | $90.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,238 | $104.44 |
Median Salary Position
2.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burnsville
In Burnsville, MN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,667 (2026 est.). At $147,537, the local median is 2.86% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burnsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burnsville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Burnsville median: $147,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burnsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $149,632 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.86% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Burnsville, MN earn a median of $147,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% below the Minnesota state average of $149,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burnsville 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.
Burnsville, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,537 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,784 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,468
2025 BLS Actual
$143,840
2026 Current Est.
$147,537
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Burnsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,468 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,686 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,035 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burnsville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,468 (2019) to $143,840 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,860 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burnsville 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) | $85,571 – $107,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,174 – $147,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,537 – $188,847 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,847 – $217,238 |
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 Burnsville
The job market for air traffic controllers in Burnsville is relatively small, with only 9 controllers currently employed in the region. The area's cost of living index of 98.5 indicates that expenses are below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for controllers. Major employers include FAA facilities such as en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, with en route centers typically offering the highest pay grades. The variance in compensation is influenced by factors such as the facility tier level, CPC certification, and various shift differentials, alongside the possibility of overtime, which is common given ongoing staffing shortages. To optimize earnings in Burnsville, aspiring controllers should consider seeking positions at en route centers, gaining additional certifications, and being open to mandatory overtime or shifts during peak traffic times.
More salary data for Burnsville, 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 $143,840 for air traffic controllersin the Burnsville 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 Burnsville 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