Air Traffic Controller Salary in Raytown, MO: $131,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Raytown, MO earns a median $131,357/year (≈ $63.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Raytown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $146,604 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Raytown, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers is $131,357 for 2026. Within this market, salaries range from $76,422 at the 10th percentile to $187,348 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities. Given the ongoing staffing challenges within the FAA that often require controllers to work 50-60 hour weeks, it’s not uncommon for many in the profession to achieve effective high compensation through overtime. While these earnings are solid for the area, they still fall short of the national median air traffic controller salary, which stands at $151,886 in the same year.
About the Raytown Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,422 | $36.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,719 | $46.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,357 | $63.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,137 | $80.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,348 | $90.07 |
Median Salary Position
13.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raytown
In Raytown, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,926 (2026 est.). At $131,357, the local median is 13.52% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raytown: You'd be above the median
How Raytown Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Raytown median: $131,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,122 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.52% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Raytown, MO earn a median of $131,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.52% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.50% below the Missouri state average of $136,122.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raytown 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.
Raytown, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,357 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,604 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,367
2025 BLS Actual
$128,066
2026 Current Est.
$131,357
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Raytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,367 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,376 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,812 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,105 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raytown metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,367 (2019) to $128,066 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,366 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raytown 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) | $76,422 – $96,719 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,719 – $131,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,357 – $168,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,137 – $187,348 |
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 Raytown
With only four air traffic controllers currently employed in Raytown, the competitive landscape for this occupation is quite limited. The cost of living index in Raytown is 89.6, suggesting that while salaries are relatively lower than the national average, the local purchasing power might mitigate some disadvantages. Among local employers, the FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities are likely to offer the higher end of the pay scale compared to towers or smaller FAA contract towers. Factors impacting the salary variation in this region include the level of facility (with en route facilities typically offering higher pay), air traffic controller certification status, and various shift differentials. Controllers seeking to maximize their earnings should consider options like pursuing CPC status, working at higher-tier en route facilities, and capitalizing on mandatory overtime, all of which can substantially boost annual pay in this sector.
More salary data for Raytown, 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 $128,066 for air traffic controllersin the Raytown 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 Raytown 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