Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $136,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $136,883/year (≈ $65.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $150,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, air traffic controllers in Bowling Green, Ohio, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $136,883, which falls below the national figure of $151,886. The salary range highlights a wide disparity, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $79,392 and experienced controllers reaching upwards of $190,066. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations. For those considering the time it takes to achieve full pay, it is important to note that completing CPC certification typically takes 1-3 years. This developmental phase significantly influences take-home pay and reflects the position's career trajectory within Bowling Green's job market.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,392 | $38.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,555 | $47.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,883 | $65.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,106 | $82.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,066 | $91.38 |
Median Salary Position
9.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,674 (2026 est.). At $136,883, the local median is 9.88% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be above the median
How Bowling Green Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $136,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,709 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.88% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $136,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.88% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,918 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,841
2025 BLS Actual
$133,453
2026 Current Est.
$136,883
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,187 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,841 (2019) to $133,453 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,560 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $79,392 – $98,555 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,555 – $136,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,883 – $172,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,106 – $190,066 |
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 Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, the employment landscape features seven air traffic controllers, highlighting a constrained and competitive local market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, the economic pressure means that salaries stretch further than in many other regions, benefitting controllers particularly in terms of overall purchasing power. Compensation can vary significantly based on the facility type, with en route centers offering the most competitive salaries, while lower-tier airport traffic control towers generally provide lower compensation. Factors such as CPC certification, mandatory overtime, and shift differentials play a large role in determining total earnings. For those looking to maximize their income, securing a position at a higher-level facility and seeking overtime opportunities will be crucial strategies within this specific Bowling Green market, especially in an environment of ongoing staffing challenges following budget constraints in previous years.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
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 $133,453 for air traffic controllersin the Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green 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