Air Traffic Controller Salary in Xenia, OH: $130,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Xenia, OH earns a median $130,554/year (≈ $62.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Xenia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $143,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Xenia, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $130,554 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $151,886 for the same year. With annual salaries ranging from $75,721 at the 10th percentile to as high as $181,623 at the 90th percentile, this profession shows a wide spread that reflects varying levels of experience and facility classification. The salary figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and projected for 2026, accounting for regional price adjustments. Controllers in Xenia often put in 50-60 hour work weeks due to staffing shortages, which can enhance overall compensation through overtime opportunities. This market context suggests a robust job environment where air traffic controller salary in Xenia may depend on hours logged rather than just base pay.
About the Xenia Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,721 | $36.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,999 | $45.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,554 | $62.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,754 | $79.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,623 | $87.32 |
Median Salary Position
14.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Xenia
In Xenia, OH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,902 (2026 est.). At $130,554, the local median is 14.04% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Xenia: You'd be above the median
How Xenia Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Xenia median: $130,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Xenia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $137,715 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.04% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Xenia, OH earn a median of $130,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.04% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Ohio state average of $137,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Xenia 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.
Xenia, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $130,554 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,940 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,717
2025 BLS Actual
$127,283
2026 Current Est.
$130,554
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Xenia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,717 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,103 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,527 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,676 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,086 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,283 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Xenia metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $105,717 (2019) to $127,283 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,192 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Xenia 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) | $75,721 – $93,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,999 – $130,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,554 – $164,754 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,754 – $181,623 |
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 Xenia
In Xenia, the job market supports only seven air traffic controllers, highlighting the rarity and demand for this skill set in the area. The cost of living index for Xenia sits at 90.7, which is below the national average, allowing for a more competitive take-home pay when juxtaposed with the regional salary figures. Among the employers within Xenia, compensation varies based on the facility type; FAA en route centers tend to offer the highest pay compared to terminal control and tower facilities. Factors contributing to the pay spread include facility classification, shift differentials, and overtime availability, given the understaffing that has become endemic in the industry. To maximize their income in this particular market, controllers could consider targeting positions in higher-tier facilities, actively seek overtime hours, and pursue CPC certification to elevate their pay rate even further in Xenia, OH.
More salary data for Xenia, 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 $127,283 for air traffic controllersin the Xenia 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 Xenia 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