Air Traffic Controller Salary in Williston, ND: $129,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Williston, ND earns a median $129,682/year (≈ $62.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $140,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Williston, North Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $129,682, which reflects a competitive but slightly lower pay scale compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range varies significantly, from $75,216 at the 10th percentile to $182,101 at the 90th percentile. This local compensation is shaped by BLS state-level estimates, adjusted for regional living costs. The tiered nature of air traffic control facilities is a key factor influencing salaries; those working in higher en route levels typically earn more than controllers in terminal or tower facilities. With only seven air traffic controllers currently employed in Williston, the job market remains tight, potentially restricting competitive salary growth.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,216 | $36.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,692 | $45.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,682 | $62.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,683 | $79.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,101 | $87.54 |
Median Salary Position
14.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,885 (2026 est.). At $129,682, the local median is 14.62% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be above the median
How Williston Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Williston median: $129,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $135,935 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.62% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Williston, ND earn a median of $129,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.62% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $135,935.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $129,682 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,959 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,011
2025 BLS Actual
$126,433
2026 Current Est.
$129,682
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,355 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,783 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,297 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,015 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $105,011 (2019) to $126,433 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,015 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,004 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $75,216 – $93,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,692 – $129,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,682 – $164,683 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,683 – $182,101 |
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 Williston
In terms of purchasing power, the cost of living in Williston, with an index of 92, is below the national average, enabling residents to stretch their earnings further. Among potential employers, the FAA's en route centers generally offer the highest compensation, but even local FAA terminal and tower facilities can provide competitive wages as compared to regional figures. The evident disparity in pay is often driven by factors such as facility type, certification status (CPC versus developmental pay), and shift differentials that apply for night and holiday shifts. To maximize pay in Williston’s market, controllers should seek opportunities for additional hours, consider pursuing CPC certification if they haven’t already, and be open to accepting various shifts. Given the ongoing staffing shortages in the field, controllers may find that strategic negotiation and flexibility can lead to higher overall compensation.
More salary data for Williston, 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 $126,433 for air traffic controllersin the Williston 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 Williston 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