Air Traffic Controller Salary in Strongsville, OH: $134,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Strongsville, OH earns a median $134,146/year (≈ $64.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Strongsville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $147,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Strongsville, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $134,146 in 2026, reflecting local conditions adjusted for regional price parity. The full salary range extends from $77,804 at the 10th percentile to $193,949 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential within the profession. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data, highlight the economic landscape for controllers who can take 1 to 3 years to reach full pay status as they progress through the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) certification process. In the context of a relatively stable job market, with only 8 controllers employed locally, prospective candidates can better understand how the air traffic controller salary in Strongsville compares against the national median of $151,886, which is approximately 11.68% higher.
About the Strongsville Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,804 | $37.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,230 | $46.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,146 | $64.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,707 | $82.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,949 | $93.25 |
Median Salary Position
11.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Strongsville
In Strongsville, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,145 (2026 est.). At $134,146, the local median is 11.68% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Strongsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Strongsville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Strongsville median: $134,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Strongsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,727 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.68% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Strongsville, OH earn a median of $134,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.68% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% below the Ohio state average of $137,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Strongsville 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.
Strongsville, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,146 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,901 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
$108,625
2025 BLS Actual
$130,785
2026 Current Est.
$134,146
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Strongsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,625 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,804 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,335 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,583 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Strongsville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,625 (2019) to $130,785 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,969 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Strongsville 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) | $77,804 – $97,230 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,230 – $134,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,146 – $171,707 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,707 – $193,949 |
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 Strongsville
Analyzing the local job market further reveals how factors like cost of living impact controller compensation. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, Strongsville offers a more affordable environment compared to many urban centers, maximizing take-home pay for employees in this role. Among the key employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay, with terminal facilities following closely behind, while tower operations often have the lowest compensation. The disparity in salaries arises from the facility level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime which is substantial due to chronic staffing shortages exacerbated since the 2013 budget cuts. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Strongsville OH, pursuing employment at higher-tier facilities like ARTCCs, obtaining CPC certification as swiftly as possible, and seeking overtime opportunities can significantly enhance their earnings.
More salary data for Strongsville, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Strongsville, OH in 2026?
Is Strongsville, OH a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Strongsville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Strongsville?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Strongsville?
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 $130,785 for air traffic controllersin the Strongsville 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 Strongsville 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