Air Traffic Controller Salary in Stow, OH: $131,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Stow, OH earns a median $131,217/year (≈ $63.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Stow's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $144,671 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Stow, Ohio, the role of an air traffic controller is both lucrative and diverse, with a projected median annual salary of $131,217 for 2026. The salary range for these professionals extends from $76,106 at the 10th percentile to $184,134 at the 90th percentile, indicating various pay scales tied to experience, facility type, and certification levels. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Specifically, controllers at en route Level 12 facilities tend to earn the highest salaries compared to their terminal and tower counterparts, a reality shaped by the complexities and responsibilities associated with managing high-altitude air traffic.
About the Stow Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,106 | $36.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,518 | $45.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,217 | $63.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,160 | $79.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,134 | $88.53 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stow
In Stow, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,028 (2026 est.). At $131,217, the local median is 13.61% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Stow: You'd be above the median
How Stow Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Stow median: $131,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stow Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,833 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.61% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Stow, OH earn a median of $131,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.80% below the Ohio state average of $137,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stow 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.
Stow, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,217 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,671 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,253
2025 BLS Actual
$127,929
2026 Current Est.
$131,217
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Stow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,253 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,037 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,589 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stow metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,253 (2019) to $127,929 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,336 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stow 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) | $76,106 – $94,518 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,518 – $131,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,217 – $166,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,160 – $184,134 |
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 Stow
While the job market in Stow features nine air traffic controllers, the cost of living index is relatively low at 90.7, which positively influences take-home purchasing power in the area. The primary employers for air traffic controllers in Stow include the FAA and military branches, with en route facilities generally offering the highest pay among the various types of air traffic control operations. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the facility level, employee certifications, and available shift differentials. Controllers who attain CPC status are likelier to see larger paychecks, especially with abundant overtime opportunities available due to chronic staffing shortages post-sequester. For those looking to maximize their pay in the Stow market, pursuing roles at FAA en route centers, considering shift differential options, and assuming overtime shifts when possible are effective strategies.
More salary data for Stow, 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 $127,929 for air traffic controllersin the Stow 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 Stow 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