Air Traffic Controller Salary in Joplin, MO: $131,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Joplin, MO earns a median $131,943/year (≈ $63.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $147,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, air traffic controllers earn a projected median annual salary of $131,943 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $151,886. This figure falls within a broad range, from $76,526 at the 10th percentile to $194,996 at the 90th percentile, offering insights into how facility type impacts pay. Joplin's salaries are adjusted for local economic conditions based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, indicating a smaller air traffic control workforce with diverse facility roles. Controllers working at higher-tiered en route Level 12 facilities can significantly exceed these figures, in contrast to their peers at terminal and tower facilities, who typically earn less. The nuances of pay in this market reflect both the specific responsibilities tied to different facility classifications and the overall demand for air traffic management in the region.
About the Joplin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,526 | $36.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,999 | $45.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,943 | $63.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,887 | $81.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,996 | $93.75 |
Median Salary Position
13.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,470 (2026 est.). At $131,943, the local median is 13.13% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Joplin median: $131,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,024 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.13% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Joplin, MO earn a median of $131,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $136,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin 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.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,258 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,841
2025 BLS Actual
$128,637
2026 Current Est.
$131,943
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,714 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,334 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,841 (2019) to $128,637 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,334 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,493 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $76,526 – $94,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,999 – $131,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,943 – $168,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,887 – $194,996 |
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 Joplin
Currently, there are eight air traffic controllers in Joplin, which may limit opportunities for advancement or competition, influencing overall compensation dynamics. The local cost of living index stands at 89.6, suggesting that take-home pay does stretch further in Joplin than in many other regions, thus enhancing purchasing power for residents. Among the potential employers, FAA en route centers tend to offer higher salaries compared to terminal and tower positions, allowing more experienced controllers to seek lucrative roles. Factors contributing to the spread in air traffic controller pay in Joplin include shift differentials for night and weekend work, mandatory overtime due to staff shortages, and the certification levels of controllers. To maximize earnings in this specific market, controllers are advised to pursue CPC certification, be flexible with shifts, and seek positions with the FAA where growth opportunities are more substantial.
More salary data for Joplin, 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 $128,637 for air traffic controllersin the Joplin 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 Joplin 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