Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nebraska: $137,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $137,928/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $150,741 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($139,426), Lincoln ($136,317), Grand Island ($127,869).
In Nebraska, the average median salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is projected at $137,928, which reflects a slight decrease of 9.2% compared to the national median of $151,886. Omaha stands out as the highest-paying city with salaries reaching $143,009, while North Platte offers the lowest at $124,946. This $18,063 difference can be attributed to factors such as the volume of air traffic, the complexity of operations, and the presence of major employers in urban areas. Nebraska has specific licensing requirements that must be met for air traffic controllers, which can influence entry into the field. The demand for air traffic controllers is expected to grow at a rate of 2.57% annually, highlighting job market stability. The major cities contributing to the workforce include Lincoln ($139,820), Grand Island ($131,155), Hastings ($131,092), and Fremont ($130,383), all of which are positioned to attract professionals seeking opportunities in this career. Current demand drivers include an expanding aviation sector and ongoing workforce needs as experienced professionals retire. With a total of 252 air traffic controllers employed in the state, Nebraska's job market for this field remains solid, offering various options across its metropolitan areas.
Nebraska Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $73,361 (lowest entry-level) to $211,731 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska air traffic controllers earn 9.19% less than the national median ($-13,958/year difference).
Nebraska Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Nebraska range from $80,137 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $202,774 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $137,928. The Nebraska median is $13,958 below the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $66.31/hr. Approximately 252 air traffic controllers are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$111,688
2025 BLS Actual
$134,472
2026 Current Est.
$137,928
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,688 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,756 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,473 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,688 (2019) to $134,472 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,473 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,785 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $124,946 |
| Papillion | $124,986 |
| La Vista | $125,117 |
| Norfolk | $125,137 |
| Columbus | $125,471 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $143,009 | 91.5 | $156,294 |
| Lincoln | $139,820 | 91.5 | $152,809 |
| Grand Island | $131,155 | 91.5 | $143,339 |
| Hastings | $131,092 | 91.5 | $143,270 |
| Fremont | $130,383 | 91.5 | $142,495 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,137 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $137,928 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $202,774 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $143,009 |
| 2 | Lincoln | $139,820 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $131,155 |
| 4 | Hastings | $131,092 |
| 5 | Fremont | $130,383 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $130,112 |
| 7 | Kearney | $129,392 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $128,947 |
| 9 | Columbus | $125,471 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $125,137 |
| 11 | La Vista | $125,117 |
| 12 | Papillion | $124,986 |
| 13 | North Platte | $124,946 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Nebraska?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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