Air Traffic Controller Salary in Eagan, MN: $146,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Eagan, MN earns a median $146,636/year (≈ $70.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Eagan's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $148,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Eagan, Minnesota, air traffic controllers command a median annual salary of $146,636 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation framework that is slightly below the national median of $151,886. Salaries in this profession can vary significantly, with the range extending from $85,049 at the lower end (P10) to $214,505 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, illustrate not only the potential earning capacity within the profession but also highlight the significance of achieving Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status. Progression through the pay scale typically takes about 1-3 years, during which developmental controllers earn a reduced salary that lays the groundwork for future compensation growth, making Eagan's air traffic controller pay competitive despite the area's cost of living.
About the Eagan Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,049 | $40.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,578 | $50.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,636 | $70.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,694 | $90.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,505 | $103.12 |
Median Salary Position
3.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eagan
In Eagan, MN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,456 (2026 est.). At $146,636, the local median is 3.46% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eagan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eagan Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Eagan median: $146,636/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eagan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $149,629 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -3.46% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Eagan, MN earn a median of $146,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.46% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $149,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eagan 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.
Eagan, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $146,636 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,869 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,739
2025 BLS Actual
$142,962
2026 Current Est.
$146,636
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Eagan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,739 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,912 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,679 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,632 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eagan metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $118,739 (2019) to $142,962 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,666 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eagan 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) | $85,049 – $105,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,578 – $146,636 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,636 – $187,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,694 – $214,505 |
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 Eagan
The job market for air traffic controllers in Eagan is stable, with 13 professionals currently employed in the area. Eagan's cost-of-living index is set at 98.5, which indicates that overall expenses are slightly lower than the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of controllers' salaries. Within the local market, pay scales can vary significantly based on the type of facility; for instance, controllers at FAA en route centers typically earn higher salaries compared to those working in terminal radar approach controls or airport traffic control towers. Maximizing earnings in this city involves strategically seeking positions at high-tier facilities, capitalizing on additional pay through shift differentials, and maintaining a focus on overtime opportunities which are prevalent given the chronic staffing shortages in the industry. Understanding these dynamics, especially the advantages conferred by CPC certification and the tiered pay structure, will empower Eagan's controllers to significantly boost their air traffic controller salary over time.
More salary data for Eagan, 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 $142,962 for air traffic controllersin the Eagan 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 Eagan 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