Air Traffic Controller Salary in Westerville, OH: $135,932 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Westerville, OH earns a median $135,932/year (≈ $65.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Westerville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $149,870 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those pursuing a career in air traffic control in Westerville, OH, the financial outlook for 2026 presents a median annual salary of $135,932. This sits notably below the national median of $151,886 by approximately 10.50%, indicating a more modest compensation landscape in this specific region. The salary range for controllers in Westerville varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $78,840, extending to as much as $186,868 for experienced professionals. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the area's competitive landscape and the potential for financial growth over time, especially as air traffic controllers typically experience salary increases moving toward full performance certification.
About the Westerville Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,871 | $47.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,932 | $65.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,767 | $81.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,868 | $89.84 |
Median Salary Position
10.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerville
In Westerville, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,028 (2026 est.). At $135,932, the local median is 10.5% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westerville: You'd be above the median
How Westerville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Westerville median: $135,932/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,722 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.50% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Westerville, OH earn a median of $135,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.50% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $137,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerville 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.
Westerville, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $135,932 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,870 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,071
2025 BLS Actual
$132,526
2026 Current Est.
$135,932
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Westerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,071 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,359 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,134 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,932 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,425 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,071 (2019) to $132,526 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,354 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerville 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) | $78,840 – $97,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,871 – $135,932 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,932 – $169,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,767 – $186,868 |
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 Westerville
Analyzing the local job market, Westerville currently employs only eight air traffic controllers, highlighting a tighter level of competition among candidates. The cost of living index stands at 90.7, which is below the national average and can enhance the purchasing power of those earning air traffic controller pay in Westerville, OH. Significant employers in the region include FAA facilities like terminal radar approach controls and FAA contract towers, which influence salary variations based on operational demands and facility tiers. Controllers working in higher-level en route facilities typically command better pay compared to those in tower positions, prompting many to explore higher certification routes. The spread in earnings can also be attributed to factors such as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and regular opportunities for overtime, all of which can be maximized to enhance total compensation in this job market.
More salary data for Westerville, 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 $132,526 for air traffic controllersin the Westerville 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 Westerville 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