Air Traffic Controller Salary in Jenks, OK: $128,930 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Jenks, OK earns a median $128,930/year (≈ $61.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Jenks's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $145,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jenks, Oklahoma, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $128,930 in 2026, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. The pay range for this profession varies considerably, from $74,780 at the lower end (P10) to $175,524 at the upper end (P90). Given the certification timeline, controllers can expect to reach full pay within 1-3 years of completing the necessary training, which influences their earnings significantly as developmental controllers typically earn a lower percentage of their Certified Professional Controller (CPC) pay. Understanding the full context of air traffic controller salaries in Jenks reveals a market that, while competitive, still falls short of national averages by about 15.11%.
About the Jenks Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,830 | $44.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,930 | $61.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,225 | $77.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,524 | $84.38 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jenks
In Jenks, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,744 (2026 est.). At $128,930, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jenks: You'd be above the median
How Jenks Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Jenks median: $128,930/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jenks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,006 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -15.11% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Jenks, OK earn a median of $128,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.50% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jenks 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.
Jenks, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $128,930 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,402
2025 BLS Actual
$125,700
2026 Current Est.
$128,930
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Jenks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,709 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,262 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,930 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jenks metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $104,402 (2019) to $125,700 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,842 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jenks 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) | $74,780 – $92,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,830 – $128,930 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,930 – $161,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,225 – $175,524 |
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 Jenks
Despite a stable median salary, the local job market for air traffic controllers in Jenks features only four current positions, indicating limited opportunities for advancement or hiring. The cost of living, with an index of 88.9, allows for a greater purchasing power than in many other regions, which can somewhat mitigate the lower salary compared to national figures. Employers in Jenks may include FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers, with pay levels driven by facility type and CPC certification status. Those in more advanced positions, such as en route controllers, see higher compensation than those in tower roles. To maximize earnings in this market, controllers should seek shifts during night hours or holidays that come with higher pay differentials, and take advantage of overtime opportunities, a common occurrence due to ongoing staffing needs.
More salary data for Jenks, 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 $125,700 for air traffic controllersin the Jenks 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 Jenks 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