Air Traffic Controller Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $136,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $136,481/year (≈ $65.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $152,323 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in St. Joseph, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $136,481 in 2026, which reflects local economic conditions and cost adjustments. The salary range varies significantly, starting from $79,158 for entry-level positions to as much as $191,919 for those at the top of their pay scale. These figures are informed by estimates derived from BLS state-level data, indicating a competitive yet accessible job market in St. Joseph. Controllers at en route Level 12 facilities generally command the highest pay within the industry, and the potential for higher compensation is inherently tied to the type of facility, along with experience and certification status, shaping the overall landscape of air traffic controller pay in St. Joseph MO.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,158 | $38.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,266 | $47.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,481 | $65.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,479 | $82.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,919 | $92.27 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,761 (2026 est.). At $136,481, the local median is 10.14% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be above the median
How St. Joseph Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $136,481/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,072 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.14% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $136,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $136,072.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph 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.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,481 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,323 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,516
2025 BLS Actual
$133,061
2026 Current Est.
$136,481
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,516 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,837 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,321 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,988 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,516 (2019) to $133,061 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,988 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,472 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $79,158 – $98,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,266 – $136,481 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,481 – $172,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,479 – $191,919 |
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 St. Joseph
With only 18 air traffic controllers currently employed in the St. Joseph area, the job market is relatively small but stable, allowing for potential growth as aviation demand increases. The cost of living in St. Joseph, reflected in a lower index of 89.6, suggests that earnings stretch further, increasing overall take-home purchasing power. Within this region, the FAA en route centers typically offer the best salaries, compared to terminal and tower facilities, allowing for differences in the facility tier system to influence earnings. Controllers seeking to maximize their air traffic controller salary in St. Joseph should focus on obtaining CPC certification, as this status significantly enhances pay. Additionally, leveraging opportunities for shift differentials, overtime, and pursuing roles in higher-tier facilities can lead to considerable financial rewards. Understanding these dynamics will be crucial for optimizing compensation in this unique market.
More salary data for St. Joseph, 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 $133,061 for air traffic controllersin the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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