Air Traffic Controller Salary in Norfolk, NE: $125,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Norfolk, NE earns a median $125,137/year (≈ $60.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $136,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Norfolk, Nebraska, earn a median annual salary of $125,137, which is notably lower than the national median of $151,886 for the same year. The salary range for this occupation in Norfolk varies significantly, from a lower percentile at $73,797 to an upper range of $172,242. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, adjusted for regional cost factors. Controllers in Norfolk may operate within various facility tiers, including FAA en route centers, which generally offer higher compensation due to their increased responsibilities and complexity compared to terminal and airport traffic control towers. This significant pay disparity emphasizes the critical function of the facility type in determining overall compensation within the regional job market.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,797 | $35.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,929 | $44.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,137 | $60.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,274 | $75.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,242 | $82.80 |
Median Salary Position
17.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, NE, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,445 (2026 est.). At $125,137, the local median is 17.61% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be above the median
How Norfolk Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $125,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $134,412 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -17.61% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Norfolk, NE earn a median of $125,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.61% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $134,412.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk 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.
Norfolk, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $125,137 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,762 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,331
2025 BLS Actual
$122,002
2026 Current Est.
$125,137
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,452 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,002 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $101,331 (2019) to $122,002 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,022 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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) | $73,797 – $92,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,929 – $125,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,137 – $157,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,274 – $172,242 |
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 Norfolk
Norfolk's job market shows a modest local footprint for air traffic controllers, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that while controller salaries may be comparatively lower than the national average, the purchasing power in the region could be more favorable. Among local employers, FAA terminal facilities and contract towers may dominate hiring, but the highest pay tends to come from en route centers that manage high-altitude traffic. The variation in pay largely stems from factors such as facility level, certification statuses, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime due to chronic understaffing. For individuals seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Norfolk, pursuing certifications and opting for overtime can lead to significant increases in overall earnings, irrespective of base salary discrepancies.
More salary data for Norfolk, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Norfolk?
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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 $122,002 for air traffic controllersin the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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