Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lancaster, OH: $136,841 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lancaster, OH earns a median $136,841/year (≈ $65.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $150,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Lancaster, Ohio, is projected to be $136,841 annually. This figure is part of a salary range that spans from $79,368 at the lower end to $194,765 at the upper extreme. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, along with considerations for regional cost disparities, indicate that while Lancaster’s compensation is 9.91% lower than the national median of $151,886, it reflects a competitive local market for air traffic controllers. With only seven controllers employed in this area, the job outlook is tied closely to FAA certification timelines, where developmental controllers should anticipate a pay progression over 1-3 years, emphasizing the potential for a rewarding career in a typically high-demand field.
About the Lancaster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,368 | $38.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,526 | $47.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,841 | $65.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,952 | $84.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,765 | $93.64 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,397 (2026 est.). At $136,841, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be above the median
How Lancaster Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $136,841/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,805 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.91% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lancaster, OH earn a median of $136,841 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the Ohio state average of $137,805.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster 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.
Lancaster, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,841 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,807
2025 BLS Actual
$133,412
2026 Current Est.
$136,841
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,807 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,501 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,898 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,841 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,357 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,807 (2019) to $133,412 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,357 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,550 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $79,368 – $98,526 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,526 – $136,841 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,841 – $174,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,952 – $194,765 |
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 Lancaster
As the cost of living index in Lancaster sits at 90.7, controllers may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas. Employers in the region, such as FAA terminal radar approach controls (TRACONs) or potentially smaller FAA contract towers, may offer variations in pay based on the facility type and controller certification status. The distinction between pay levels often correlates with the facility tier, where en route centers typically pay more than terminal facilities or towers, along with various incentives like shift differentials and overtime. To maximize pay in the Lancaster market, aspiring controllers should focus on achieving their CPC certification quickly and consider seeking positions with agencies offering robust overtime opportunities. Understanding the local pay dynamics can significantly enhance earnings potential in this competitive but rewarding profession.
More salary data for Lancaster, 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 $133,412 for air traffic controllersin the Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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