Air Traffic Controller Salary in Enid, OK: $135,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Enid, OK earns a median $135,028/year (≈ $64.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Enid's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $151,888 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Enid, OK, is projected to reach a median of $135,028. While this figure is competitive within the local market, it falls about 11.10% below the national median of $151,886 for air traffic controllers. The salary range for this occupation reflects significant variability, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $78,316 (P10) and experienced controllers earning as much as $194,370 (P90). These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, highlight the earning potential while taking into account regional cost adjustments. Controllers in the area may be positioned at different facility tiers, such as en route Level 12, terminal Level 11, or tower Level 7, which greatly influences pay rates throughout Enid's job market.
About the Enid Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,316 | $37.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,220 | $46.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,028 | $64.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,837 | $83.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,370 | $93.45 |
Median Salary Position
11.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Enid
In Enid, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,054 (2026 est.). At $135,028, the local median is 11.1% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Enid: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Enid Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Enid median: $135,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Enid Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.10% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Enid, OK earn a median of $135,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.10% lower than the national median of $151,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Enid 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.
Enid, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $135,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,888 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,340
2025 BLS Actual
$131,645
2026 Current Est.
$135,028
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Enid (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,945 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,349 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,133 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Enid metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,340 (2019) to $131,645 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,159 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Enid 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) | $78,316 – $97,220 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,220 – $135,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,028 – $172,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,837 – $194,370 |
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 Enid
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Enid, with only eight controllers currently employed, reflects a specialized and competitive field. The below-average cost-of-living index of 88.9 enhances the purchasing power for controllers, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle even on the lower end of the salary spectrum. In Enid, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and military bases are among the primary employers of air traffic controllers, providing the potential for higher pay depending on the facility type. En route centers generally compensate at a higher level compared to terminal or airport traffic control towers. Factors such as certification status, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities can significantly impact total compensation for controllers. Maximizing pay may involve pursuing centralized positions at en route facilities and taking advantage of overtime, given the staffing shortages in the region post-2013 sequester.
More salary data for Enid, 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 $131,645 for air traffic controllersin the Enid 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 Enid 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