Air Traffic Controller Salary in Solon, OH: $126,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Solon, OH earns a median $126,610/year (≈ $60.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Solon's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $139,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Solon, Ohio, aspiring air traffic controllers can anticipate an annual compensation of $126,610 by 2026. This figure is notably lower than the anticipated national median of $151,886, highlighting a regional variance in salaries. The projected salary range spans from $73,434 at the 10th percentile to $175,202 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earnings potential based on experience and position. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, reflect the unique circumstances of the air traffic control job market in this area. Given the FAA’s reliance on certified professionals, it takes one to three years for developmental controllers to reach full pay, making understanding the pay structure crucial for local job seekers.
About the Solon Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,434 | $35.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,610 | $60.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,080 | $76.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,202 | $84.23 |
Median Salary Position
16.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Solon
In Solon, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,768 (2026 est.). At $126,610, the local median is 16.64% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Solon: You'd be above the median
How Solon Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Solon median: $126,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Solon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,770 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.64% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Solon, OH earn a median of $126,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.64% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 8.10% below the Ohio state average of $137,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Solon 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.
Solon, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,610 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,592 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
$102,523
2025 BLS Actual
$123,438
2026 Current Est.
$126,610
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Solon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,717 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,158 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,242 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,519 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,033 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,438 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Solon metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,523 (2019) to $123,438 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,341 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Solon 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) | $73,434 – $91,980 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,980 – $126,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,610 – $160,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,080 – $175,202 |
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 Solon
The air traffic controller job market in Solon includes only six professionals currently employed, indicating a niche yet competitive environment. With a cost of living index at 90.7, which is below the national average, controllers in this region may find their take-home pay stretches further than in more metropolitan areas. Federal facilities that commonly employ controllers here include FAA airport traffic control towers and perhaps some military operations, which often offer higher wages compared to smaller contract towers. The variance between top and bottom earners can be influenced by factors such as current certification status, the facility's level, and the availability of overtime. Maximizing one’s salary in Solon may involve seeking opportunities for additional certifications, prioritizing positions in higher-tier facilities, and being open to shift work that provides extra pay incentives.
More salary data for Solon, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Solon, OH in 2026?
Is Solon, OH a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Solon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Solon?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Solon?
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 $123,438 for air traffic controllersin the Solon 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 Solon 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