Air Traffic Controller Salary in Reno, NV: $153,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Reno, NV earns a median $153,592/year (≈ $73.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Reno's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $156,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Nevada state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Reno is projected to reach a median of $153,592, slightly above the national median of $151,886. Compensation ranges from $89,084 at the 10th percentile to a robust $238,068 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive landscape for controllers navigating their careers in NV. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost of living. As air traffic controllers in Reno typically advance through a developmental pay structure that can take up to three years to reach full compensation, individuals entering this field can expect significant growth potential as they become fully certified.
About the Reno Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,084 | $42.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,587 | $53.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,592 | $73.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,598 | $94.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $238,068 | $114.46 |
Median Salary Position
1.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reno
In Reno, NV, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,984 (2026 est.). At $153,592, the local median is 1.12% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reno Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Reno median: $153,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $149,264 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +1.12% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Reno, NV earn a median of $153,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.90% above the Nevada state average of $149,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reno has a cost of living 1.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reno, NV has a cost-of-living index of 98.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $153,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,248 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,372
2025 BLS Actual
$149,744
2026 Current Est.
$153,592
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,372 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,736 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,924 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,663 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,744 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reno metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,372 (2019) to $149,744 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,168 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reno 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) | $89,084 – $110,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,587 – $153,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,592 – $196,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,598 – $238,068 |
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 Reno
Reno's job market for air traffic controllers is relatively stable, with about 45 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 98.3, which means that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power remains slightly below the national average. Top pay among employers in the area often comes from FAA en route centers and TRACON facilities, where controllers can earn significantly more through shift differentials and overtime. Factors contributing to the wage variance include the facility type—en route positions typically come with higher salaries compared to airport towers—as well as pay based on certification status and work shifts. To maximize compensation in Reno, controllers should seek to gain experience in high-traffic facilities and consider working overtime and weekends, as these opportunities frequently include lucrative pay incentives.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Reno, NV in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Reno?
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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 $149,744 for air traffic controllersin the Reno 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 Reno 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