Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $147,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $147,656/year (≈ $70.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $149,905 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $147,656 for 2026, air traffic controller pay in Cottage Grove, MN is competitive, particularly within the regional context. The salary spectrum ranges from $85,640 at the 10th percentile to $203,054 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying facility tiers among controllers. The figures presented are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlighting the financial implications of operating facilities at different levels—the en route Level 12 typically commanding the highest pay compared to terminal and tower positions. This market dynamic indicates that aspiring controllers in Cottage Grove can anticipate solid compensation in a field that is both demanding and rewarding.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,640 | $41.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,312 | $51.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,656 | $70.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,451 | $88.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,054 | $97.63 |
Median Salary Position
2.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,414 (2026 est.). At $147,656, the local median is 2.78% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be above the median
How Cottage Grove Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $147,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $149,600 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.78% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $147,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.78% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $149,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove 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.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,905 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,565
2025 BLS Actual
$143,956
2026 Current Est.
$147,656
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,565 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,788 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,554 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,956 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,565 (2019) to $143,956 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,885 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $85,640 – $106,312 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,312 – $147,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,656 – $184,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,451 – $203,054 |
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 Cottage Grove
The local job market currently employs eight air traffic controllers, providing a glimpse into the community's workforce. With a cost of living index of 98.5, which is slightly below the national average, take-home pay has a bit more purchasing power, allowing controllers in Cottage Grove to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Among various employers, FAA en route centers tend to offer salaries on the higher spectrum of the pay scale, with terminal facilities also providing competitive compensation. Factors driving pay disparities include the type of facility, certification status, and additional benefits like shift differentials and overtime opportunities. To maximize earning potential in this market, controllers should aim for CPC certification and seek opportunities for overtime, particularly during peak operation hours, capitalizing on the growing demand for skilled air traffic control professionals.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, 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 $143,956 for air traffic controllersin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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