Air Traffic Controller Salary in Missouri: $149,267 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $149,267/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $166,593 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($161,700), Springfield ($137,207), Independence ($135,406).
In Missouri, the average median salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is projected to be $149,267, slightly below the national median of $151,886, reflecting a difference of -1.7%. Across the state, there is a significant salary variation between cities; Kansas City leads with $165,856 while Hannibal has the lowest at $125,575, indicating a gap of $40,281. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the volume of air traffic, location of major airports, and cost of living. Missouri's air traffic controllers must adhere to federal licensing requirements, and while there are no specific state regulations that constrain their scope of practice, proximity to major air traffic routes can influence job prospects. The projected job market for air traffic controllers in the state shows a growth rate of 2.57%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. The top five cities for air traffic controller salaries in 2026 are Kansas City ($165,856), Springfield ($140,733), Independence ($138,886), Columbia ($138,281), and St. Peters ($137,870). This data highlights opportunities for career growth and salary increases for those entering the profession in Missouri. With a total of 891 air traffic controllers employed in the state, the job outlook remains positive.
Missouri Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $72,834 (lowest entry-level) to $213,011 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri air traffic controllers earn 1.72% less than the national median ($-2,619/year difference).
Missouri Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Missouri range from $85,626 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $196,141 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $149,267. The Missouri median is $2,619 below the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $71.76/hr. Approximately 891 air traffic controllers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$126,420
2025 BLS Actual
$145,527
2026 Current Est.
$149,267
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,297 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,483 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,527 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,267 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 15.1% from $126,420 (2019) to $145,527 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,683 (21.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hannibal | $125,575 |
| Raymore | $125,985 |
| Branson | $126,466 |
| Belton | $128,667 |
| Jefferson City | $129,646 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $165,856 | 92.543 | $179,220 |
| Springfield | $140,733 | 89.6 | $157,068 |
| Independence | $138,886 | 89.6 | $155,007 |
| Columbia | $138,281 | 89.6 | $154,331 |
| St. Peters | $137,870 | 89.6 | $153,873 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $85,626 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $149,267 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $196,141 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $165,856 |
| 2 | Springfield | $140,733 |
| 3 | Independence | $138,886 |
| 4 | Columbia | $138,281 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $137,870 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $137,612 |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $136,481 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $136,017 |
| 9 | Florissant | $135,305 |
| 10 | Wildwood | $135,009 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $134,970 |
| 12 | Lee's Summit | $134,894 |
| 13 | Chesterfield | $134,874 |
| 14 | University City | $134,167 |
| 15 | Liberty | $134,114 |
| 16 | Grandview | $133,882 |
| 17 | Maryland Heights | $133,660 |
| 18 | Blue Springs | $132,147 |
| 19 | Cape Girardeau | $132,023 |
| 20 | Joplin | $131,943 |
| 21 | Raytown | $131,357 |
| 22 | St. Louis | $130,910 |
| 23 | Webster Groves | $130,703 |
| 24 | Sedalia | $130,662 |
| 25 | Ballwin | $130,428 |
| 26 | Nixa | $130,417 |
| 27 | Gladstone | $130,069 |
| 28 | Wentzville | $129,763 |
| 29 | Jefferson City | $129,646 |
| 30 | Belton | $128,667 |
| 31 | Branson | $126,466 |
| 32 | Raymore | $125,985 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $125,575 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new air traffic controllers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Missouri?
How does Missouri air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Missouri?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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