Air Traffic Controller Salary in Blue Springs, MO: $132,147 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Blue Springs, MO earns a median $132,147/year (≈ $63.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Blue Springs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $147,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salaries in Blue Springs, Missouri, are projected to reflect the economic realities of increased overtime demands, especially in an environment that often faces staffing shortages. In 2026, the median annual salary for controllers is expected to be $132,147, which is 13% lower than the national median of $151,886. Salary ranges for these positions will vary significantly, from a low of $76,645 (the 10th percentile) to an upper end of $195,698 (the 90th percentile). These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations, and highlight the competitive, albeit somewhat subdued, earning potential for controllers in this region as they strive to manage high volumes of air traffic amidst ongoing staffing challenges.
About the Blue Springs Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,645 | $36.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,146 | $45.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,147 | $63.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,148 | $81.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,698 | $94.09 |
Median Salary Position
13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blue Springs
In Blue Springs, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,053 (2026 est.). At $132,147, the local median is 13% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blue Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blue Springs Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Blue Springs median: $132,147/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blue Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,094 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.00% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Blue Springs, MO earn a median of $132,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.00% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.90% below the Missouri state average of $136,094.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blue Springs has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blue Springs, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,147 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,485 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,007
2025 BLS Actual
$128,836
2026 Current Est.
$132,147
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Blue Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,007 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,471 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,756 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,147 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blue Springs metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,007 (2019) to $128,836 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,536 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blue Springs 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) | $76,645 – $95,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,146 – $132,147 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,147 – $169,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,148 – $195,698 |
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 Blue Springs
With only 10 air traffic controllers currently employed in Blue Springs, the local job market for this profession is limited. The area's cost of living index sits at 89.6, meaning that take-home pay offers more purchasing power compared to national standards. While the FAA operates various facilities nearby, including en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, the salary potential largely varies based on facility type, with en route facilities typically offering higher compensation. Factors such as facility certifications, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime also play significant roles in determining actual earnings. To maximize pay in Blue Springs, aspiring controllers can benefit from seeking positions at higher-tier en route centers, pursuing CPC certification, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities, particularly as the staffing crisis within the FAA persists.
More salary data for Blue Springs, MO:
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 $128,836 for air traffic controllersin the Blue Springs 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 Blue Springs 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