Air Traffic Controller Salary in Chesterfield, MO: $134,874 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Chesterfield, MO earns a median $134,874/year (≈ $64.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Chesterfield's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $150,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Chesterfield, Missouri, can anticipate a median annual salary of $134,874, which offers a competitive prospect despite being approximately 11.20% lower than the national median. Local salary estimates indicate a wide range, with figures starting at $78,227 for the 10th percentile and reaching up to $186,252 for the 90th percentile. The compensation landscape is reflective of developmental controller economics, taking into account the typical timeline of 1-3 years to attain full certification and pay as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC). Given Chesterfield's unique market dynamics and relatively low cost of living index at 89.6, these salaries suggest that opportunities within the region can provide stable and rewarding career paths for those entering the field.
About the Chesterfield Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,227 | $37.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,109 | $46.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,874 | $64.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,271 | $82.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,252 | $89.54 |
Median Salary Position
11.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chesterfield
In Chesterfield, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,025 (2026 est.). At $134,874, the local median is 11.2% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chesterfield: You'd be above the median
How Chesterfield Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Chesterfield median: $134,874/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chesterfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,099 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.20% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Chesterfield, MO earn a median of $134,874 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.20% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $136,099.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chesterfield 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.
Chesterfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,874 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,215
2025 BLS Actual
$131,495
2026 Current Est.
$134,874
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chesterfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,813 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,218 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,438 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,993 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,495 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,874 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chesterfield metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,215 (2019) to $131,495 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,126 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesterfield 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) | $78,227 – $97,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,109 – $134,874 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,874 – $172,271 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,271 – $186,252 |
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 Chesterfield
Chesterfield's air traffic controller workforce, which consists of about 10 controllers, is shaped by a variety of factors that influence compensation. With a cost of living index below the national average, take-home pay effectively stretches further. Controllers can maximize their earnings by seeking positions within FAA en route centers, which typically offer the highest pay among facility types, although terminal and tower units also provide opportunities, usually at lower salary levels. Experience and CPC certification status are significant determinants of pay, with developmental controllers earning 65-75% of full pay until they achieve CPC status. Additionally, working night shifts, weekends, and holidays can yield substantial bonuses that further enhance overall compensation. Given the importance of overtime work due to chronic staffing challenges in the sector, pursuing a career path as an air traffic controller in Chesterfield, MO, holds solid potential for financial growth.
More salary data for Chesterfield, 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 $131,495 for air traffic controllersin the Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield 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