Air Traffic Controller Salary in Medina, OH: $132,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Medina, OH earns a median $132,746/year (≈ $63.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Medina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $146,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Medina, Ohio, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $132,746 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference when compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range spans from $77,001 at the 10th percentile to $189,225 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variation in potential earnings depending on experience, certification, and facility type. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations highlight that while Medina's salaries are lower than the national average, the local air traffic controller pay landscape is built around the varied roles they fulfill, particularly in en route, terminal, and tower facilities. This market presents opportunities for controllers to gain valuable experience while contributing to a vital industry.
About the Medina Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,001 | $37.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,577 | $45.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,746 | $63.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,892 | $81.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,225 | $90.97 |
Median Salary Position
12.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medina
In Medina, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,224 (2026 est.). At $132,746, the local median is 12.6% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medina: You'd be above the median
How Medina Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Medina median: $132,746/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,703 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.60% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Medina, OH earn a median of $132,746 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.60% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medina 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.
Medina, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,746 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,357 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$107,492
2025 BLS Actual
$129,420
2026 Current Est.
$132,746
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Medina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,366 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,158 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medina metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,492 (2019) to $129,420 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,158 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,666 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medina 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) | $77,001 – $95,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,577 – $132,746 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,746 – $169,892 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,892 – $189,225 |
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 Medina
The job market for air traffic controllers in Medina shows strength with only six professionals currently employed, offering a unique advantage to newcomers entering the field. The local cost of living index sits at 90.7, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay can stretch further in this community. Employers in the area, particularly FAA-run facilities, typically offer the most competitive salaries, particularly in roles managing high-altitude traffic at en route centers. Factors influencing the earnings disparity include the facility tier—en route positions generally command higher salaries than terminal or tower roles—as well as certifications like CPC status that significantly affect pay levels. Strategies for enhancing earnings in Medina’s air traffic controller market include seeking out overtime opportunities, pursuing higher-tier positions, and taking advantage of locality pay differentials when considering opportunities in nearby regions.
More salary data for Medina, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Medina, OH in 2026?
Is Medina, OH a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Medina?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Medina?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Medina?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $129,420 for air traffic controllersin the Medina 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 Medina 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