Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $134,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lee's Summit, MO earns a median $134,894/year (≈ $64.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lee's Summit's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $150,551 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 Lee's Summit, Missouri can expect a median annual salary of $134,894. This figure indicates a competitive salary compared to the national median of $151,886, reflecting a robust yet slightly lower local market for this essential profession. Salaries in the area can vary significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $78,238 (P10) and more experienced professionals commanding up to $203,916 (P90). These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, showcasing the financial landscape for controllers within different facility tiers. Positions at en route Level 12 facilities typically lead to higher pay, affecting overall compensation prospects in this market.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,238 | $37.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,124 | $46.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,894 | $64.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,664 | $83.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,916 | $98.04 |
Median Salary Position
11.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
In Lee's Summit, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,678 (2026 est.). At $134,894, the local median is 11.19% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lee's Summit: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lee's Summit Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lee's Summit median: $134,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lee's Summit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,119 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.19% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $134,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.19% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $136,119.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lee's Summit 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.
Lee's Summit, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,894 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,551 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$109,231
2025 BLS Actual
$131,514
2026 Current Est.
$134,894
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,231 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,235 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,011 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,361 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,231 (2019) to $131,514 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,361 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,130 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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) | $78,238 – $97,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,124 – $134,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,894 – $172,664 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,664 – $203,916 |
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 Lee's Summit
With 20 air traffic controllers currently employed in Lee's Summit, the local job market remains relatively stable. The cost of living index stands at 89.6, which is below the national average, suggesting greater purchasing power for residents. Among the various employers, FAA en route centers (ARTCCs) generally offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal radar approach control facilities (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers (ATCTs). Factors contributing to the salary range include the facility level, certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of mandatory overtime due to chronic staffing shortages in the field. For those looking to maximize air traffic controller pay in Lee's Summit, pursuing CPC certification and seeking positions in higher-tier facilities will be essential strategies, especially considering the potential for significant earning through overtime and targeted shifts.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Lee's Summit, MO in 2026?
Is Lee's Summit, MO a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Lee's Summit?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Lee's Summit?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Lee's Summit?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $131,514 for air traffic controllersin the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit 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