Air Traffic Controller Salary in Grove City, OH: $136,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Grove City, OH earns a median $136,145/year (≈ $65.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Grove City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $150,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grove City, Ohio, the projected compensation for air traffic controllers in 2026 stands at a median annual salary of $136,145. This figure reflects the local market dynamics and compares unfavorably to the national median of $151,886. Salaries for air traffic controllers in the area range significantly, from $78,965 at the lower end (P10) to $187,584 at the higher end (P90), with further distinctions based on the facility tier—en route Level 12 positions typically offering the highest pay, followed by terminal and tower roles. These estimations are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is specifically relevant in Grove City due to its lower cost index of 90.7 compared to the national average.
About the Grove City Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,965 | $37.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,024 | $47.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,145 | $65.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,291 | $81.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,584 | $90.19 |
Median Salary Position
10.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grove City
In Grove City, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,619 (2026 est.). At $136,145, the local median is 10.36% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grove City: You'd be above the median
How Grove City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Grove City median: $136,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grove City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,799 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.36% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Grove City, OH earn a median of $136,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $137,799.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grove City 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.
Grove City, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,145 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,105 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,244
2025 BLS Actual
$132,734
2026 Current Est.
$136,145
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Grove City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,545 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,143 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grove City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,244 (2019) to $132,734 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,400 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grove City 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) | $78,965 – $98,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,024 – $136,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,145 – $170,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,291 – $187,584 |
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 Grove City
The job market in Grove City presents a unique situation for air traffic controllers, with only seven professionals employed in this field locally. The cost of living plays a significant role in determining purchasing power; despite the median salary, the lower CoL means that take-home pay can stretch further in everyday expenses compared to higher-cost regions. Among local employers, positions at FAA en route centers are likely to offer the most competitive salaries, followed by terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. The disparity in earnings is driven by various factors, including facility tier, CPC certification status, and the availability of overtime opportunities, which are abundant given the ongoing national need for staffing in air traffic control. To maximize earnings in this market, controllers can consider seeking positions at higher-tier facilities and pursuing necessary training for CPC status, along with taking advantage of shift differentials that significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Grove City, 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 $132,734 for air traffic controllersin the Grove City 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 Grove City 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