Air Traffic Controller Salary in Grand Island, NE: $131,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Grand Island, NE earns a median $131,155/year (≈ $63.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $143,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Grand Island, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $131,155, which is notably lower than the national median of $151,886. Salary ranges in this area vary significantly, with figures from $76,070 at the 10th percentile to $190,453 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, emphasize the tiered structure of air traffic controller roles within the FAA. Controllers working at en route facilities generally receive higher compensation, reflecting the advanced complexity and responsibility associated with managing high-altitude traffic. For those in Grand Island, understanding these dynamics is crucial as they navigate their careers within varying facility types.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,070 | $36.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,432 | $45.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,155 | $63.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,878 | $80.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,453 | $91.56 |
Median Salary Position
13.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,383 (2026 est.). At $131,155, the local median is 13.65% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Island Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $131,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $134,380 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.65% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $131,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $134,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,155 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,339 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% 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
$106,203
2025 BLS Actual
$127,869
2026 Current Est.
$131,155
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,629 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,641 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,203 (2019) to $127,869 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,323 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $76,070 – $94,432 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,432 – $131,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,155 – $167,878 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,878 – $190,453 |
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 Grand Island
Currently, there are 14 air traffic controllers employed in Grand Island, making the local job market relatively stable but limited in opportunities. The area's cost of living index stands at 91.5, which suggests that take-home pay stretches further than in many other regions, thus affecting the effective purchasing power of salaries. Among the employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest compensation compared to terminal and tower facilities, reflecting differences in the required skill levels and traffic management responsibilities. The disparity between the lowest and highest salaries here can be attributed to factors such as facility tier, CPC certification status, and earned shift differentials. Controllers can maximize their pay by pursuing additional certifications, seeking high-demand shifts, and being open to overtime, which remains a common scenario in the context of ongoing staffing shortages that have plagued the industry in recent years.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Grand Island, NE in 2026?
Is Grand Island, NE a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Grand Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Grand Island?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Grand Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $127,869 for air traffic controllersin the Grand Island 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 Grand Island 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