Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bismarck, ND: $133,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bismarck, ND earns a median $133,959/year (≈ $64.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $145,608 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, air traffic controller salaries reflect the complexities of tiered compensation structures within the field. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $133,959, which is about 11.80% lower than the national median of $151,886. Salaries in the region fall within a range of $77,697 at the 10th percentile to $188,524 at the 90th percentile, with the majority of earnings likely influenced by facility level—en route controllers typically draw higher pay than their terminal and tower counterparts. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local market conditions and regional cost adjustments.
About the Bismarck Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,697 | $37.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,234 | $46.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,959 | $64.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,382 | $81.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,524 | $90.64 |
Median Salary Position
11.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,827 (2026 est.). At $133,959, the local median is 11.8% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be above the median
How Bismarck Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $133,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $135,862 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.80% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $133,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.80% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% below the North Dakota state average of $135,862.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $133,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,608 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,474
2025 BLS Actual
$130,603
2026 Current Est.
$133,959
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,474 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,436 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,641 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,474 (2019) to $130,603 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,928 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $77,697 – $97,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,234 – $133,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,959 – $169,382 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,382 – $188,524 |
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 Bismarck
Examining the job market reveals that Bismarck employs only 11 air traffic controllers, indicating a relatively small community in this profession. The cost of living index in Bismarck stands at 92, suggesting that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, controllers enjoy a more favorable cost-to-salary ratio. To maximize air traffic controller pay in Bismarck, individuals should consider aiming for positions in higher-paying facilities, such as FAA en route centers, where earnings tend to peak. Enhancements such as CPC certification, shift differentials, and overtime can also provide significant boosts to income. Given the chronic staffing shortages within the industry, motivated controllers might find ample opportunities for extra hours, which could further augment their take-home pay.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $130,603 for air traffic controllersin the Bismarck 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 Bismarck 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