Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bixby, OK: $129,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bixby, OK earns a median $129,420/year (≈ $62.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bixby's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $145,579 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salary in Bixby, OK, reflects the diverse responsibilities associated with different facility tiers, notably en route, terminal, and tower positions. In 2026, professionals earning a median wage of $129,420 will experience a salary range stretching from $75,064 at the lower 10th percentile to $187,417 at the upper 90th percentile. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting adjustments for the regional cost of living, which is partly responsible for the salaries being lower than the national median of $151,886. With a workforce of only six air traffic controllers in the area, job opportunities are competitive, highlighting the specific demands of Bixby’s air traffic management landscape.
About the Bixby Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,064 | $36.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,195 | $45.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,658 | $79.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,417 | $90.11 |
Median Salary Position
14.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bixby
In Bixby, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,353 (2026 est.). At $129,420, the local median is 14.79% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bixby: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bixby Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bixby median: $129,420/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bixby Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,094 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.79% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bixby, OK earn a median of $129,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.79% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,094.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bixby has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bixby, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $129,420 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,579 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,798
2025 BLS Actual
$126,177
2026 Current Est.
$129,420
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bixby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,798 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,558 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,067 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,177 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bixby metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $104,798 (2019) to $126,177 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,948 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bixby 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) | $75,064 – $94,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,195 – $129,420 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,420 – $165,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,658 – $187,417 |
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 Bixby
Turning to the local job market, Bixby presents particular challenges due to its low number of air traffic controllers and a cost-of-living index of 88.9, which significantly affects take-home purchasing power. Among the employers in the area, FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers generally offer the most competitive pay. The variation in salaries often arises from the facility tier structure, with controllers at en route Level 12 facilities receiving the highest compensation, followed by terminal and tower positions. Additionally, factors such as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime obligations can further influence earnings. For those aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Bixby, pursuing CPC certification and seeking shift opportunities, especially during weekends and holidays, can prove advantageous in this market.
More salary data for Bixby, OK:
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 $126,177 for air traffic controllersin the Bixby 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 Bixby 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