Air Traffic Controller Salary in Wadsworth, OH: $127,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Wadsworth, OH earns a median $127,003/year (≈ $61.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Wadsworth's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $140,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wadsworth, Ohio, the financial outlook for air traffic controllers is framed by a median annual salary of $127,003, which reflects a regional adjustment based on local cost of living estimates. The salary range for these professionals spans from $73,662 at the 10th percentile to as high as $172,422 for those at the 90th percentile. Given the industry standard of a 1-3 year Certification Process Completion (CPC) timeline, many new controllers can expect to earn a lower pay during their developmental phase, typically 65-75% of its full potential. This gradual build-up in salary mirrors the career development structure in Wadsworth, where both local demand and the specific nuances of the job market shape air traffic controller compensation.
About the Wadsworth Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,662 | $35.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,743 | $44.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,003 | $61.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,836 | $77.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,422 | $82.90 |
Median Salary Position
16.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wadsworth
In Wadsworth, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,760 (2026 est.). At $127,003, the local median is 16.38% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wadsworth: You'd be above the median
How Wadsworth Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Wadsworth median: $127,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wadsworth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,748 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.38% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Wadsworth, OH earn a median of $127,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.38% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.80% below the Ohio state average of $137,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wadsworth 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.
Wadsworth, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $127,003 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,025 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,841
2025 BLS Actual
$123,821
2026 Current Est.
$127,003
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wadsworth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,054 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,494 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,584 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,874 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,375 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,267 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wadsworth metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,841 (2019) to $123,821 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,267 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,426 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wadsworth 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) | $73,662 – $92,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,743 – $127,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,003 – $160,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,836 – $172,422 |
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 Wadsworth
Analyzing the job market in Wadsworth reveals both opportunities and challenges. With six air traffic controllers currently employed in the area, competition for positions is relatively limited, allowing for strategic career maneuvering. Wadsworth's cost-of-living index stands at 90.7, suggesting that controllers' salaries provide a reasonable purchasing power compared to national averages. Among the various employers, the FAA en route centers likely offer the highest compensation, reflecting the facility level and CPC certification status where en route controllers rank at a premium compared to terminal and tower positions. Factors influencing the disparity between low and high pay include shift differentials, mandatory overtime due to chronic understaffing, and locality pay that often benefits those employed in more prominent regions. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Wadsworth, gaining a CPC certification quickly, opting for en route assignments, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities would be prudent strategies.
More salary data for Wadsworth, 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 $123,821 for air traffic controllersin the Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth 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