Air Traffic Controller Salary in Chaska, MN: $147,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Chaska, MN earns a median $147,854/year (≈ $71.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Chaska's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $150,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Chaska, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $147,854, slightly below the national average of $151,886. Salaries in the area can range significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $85,755 and experienced controllers earning as much as $203,716. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost parameters, which allows for a deeper understanding of the air traffic controller pay in Chaska, MN. Controllers working at en route facilities generally see higher compensation than those at terminal or tower facilities, which may influence job choices for those entering this field.
About the Chaska Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,755 | $41.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,454 | $51.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,854 | $71.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,936 | $88.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,716 | $97.94 |
Median Salary Position
2.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chaska
In Chaska, MN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,961 (2026 est.). At $147,854, the local median is 2.65% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chaska: You'd be above the median
How Chaska Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Chaska median: $147,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $149,649 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.65% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Chaska, MN earn a median of $147,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% below the Minnesota state average of $149,649.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chaska 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.
Chaska, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,106 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$119,725
2025 BLS Actual
$144,149
2026 Current Est.
$147,854
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,725 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,733 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chaska metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,725 (2019) to $144,149 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,928 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chaska 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) | $85,755 – $106,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,454 – $147,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,854 – $184,936 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,936 – $203,716 |
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 Chaska
Currently, there are five air traffic controllers employed in Chaska, indicating a relatively small but stable local job market. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, below the national average, which means that the take-home pay for controllers affords a decent quality of living relative to local expenses. Employment opportunities in Chaska may be driven by FAA facilities that prioritize competitive remuneration, especially at higher-tier en route centers compared to terminal facilities and airport traffic control towers. To maximize air traffic controller pay in Chaska, pursuing a career path at en route locations or obtaining CPC certification to access the full pay scale is advantageous. Additionally, those willing to work non-standard hours can benefit from shift differentials and paid overtime, which has become a significant aspect of controller compensation amid ongoing staffing shortages.
More salary data for Chaska, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Chaska, MN in 2026?
Is Chaska, MN a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Chaska?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Chaska?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Chaska?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $144,149 for air traffic controllersin the Chaska 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 Chaska 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