Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shaker Heights, OH: $132,834 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shaker Heights, OH earns a median $132,834/year (≈ $63.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shaker Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $146,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Shaker Heights, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $132,834. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and considers regional cost adjustments. The salary range for this occupation is noteworthy, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $77,060 and experienced controllers earning as much as $189,174 annually. Controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, especially in understaffed airports, which can enhance their overall compensation through significant overtime. Given that the national median for air traffic controller salaries is projected at $151,886 for the same year, those in Shaker Heights may earn slightly less, underlining the regional salary dynamics that stem from both local demand and operational challenges.
About the Shaker Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,649 | $46.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,834 | $63.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,207 | $79.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,174 | $90.95 |
Median Salary Position
12.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shaker Heights
In Shaker Heights, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,114 (2026 est.). At $132,834, the local median is 12.54% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shaker Heights: You'd be above the median
How Shaker Heights Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shaker Heights median: $132,834/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shaker Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,795 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.54% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shaker Heights, OH earn a median of $132,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.54% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,795.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shaker Heights 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.
Shaker Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,834 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,454 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,563
2025 BLS Actual
$129,506
2026 Current Est.
$132,834
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shaker Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,563 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,061 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,148 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,506 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,834 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shaker Heights metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,563 (2019) to $129,506 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,685 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shaker Heights 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) | $77,060 – $97,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,649 – $132,834 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,834 – $165,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,207 – $189,174 |
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 Shaker Heights
Examining the specifics of air traffic controller pay in Shaker Heights, there are currently seven controllers employed in the area, a number that highlights the localized job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, the purchasing power of these salaries is relatively robust when compared to the national average. The highest salaries among air traffic controllers typically come from FAA en route centers, which manage high-altitude air traffic, while terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic towers generally offer lower compensation levels. The disparity in wages can be attributed to several factors: the tier system used by the FAA, where en route facilities rank higher than terminal and tower positions, CPC certification status affecting pay grades, and various shift differentials that incentivize harder hours. To maximize pay in this specific market, aspiring controllers should seek positions at en route facilities, gain certification promptly, and be prepared to work overtime in an environment that continues to struggle with staffing shortages.
More salary data for Shaker Heights, 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 $129,506 for air traffic controllersin the Shaker Heights 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 Shaker Heights 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