Air Traffic Controller Salary in Oklahoma City, OK: $150,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Oklahoma City, OK earns a median $150,286/year (≈ $72.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Oklahoma City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $166,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% above the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Oklahoma City presents a competitive air traffic controller salary landscape, highlighted by a median annual income of $150,286. This figure is slightly below the national median of $151,886, reflecting unique regional pay dynamics. Salaries for air traffic controllers in this city can vary widely, ranging from $86,302 at the 10th percentile to $190,370 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, with anticipated annual growth of 2.57%. The disparities in pay are mainly driven by the facility tier—en route controllers typically earn more than those in terminal settings or control towers, which can significantly influence earning potential in Oklahoma City's air traffic management sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,302 | $41.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,622 | $57.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,286 | $72.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,051 | $79.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,370 | $91.52 |
Median Salary Position
1.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,068 (2026 est.). At $150,286, the local median is 1.05% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oklahoma City: You'd be above the median
How Oklahoma City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Oklahoma City median: $150,286/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oklahoma City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,027 | +11.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.05% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $150,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 11.30% above the Oklahoma state average of $135,027.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oklahoma City has a cost of living 9.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oklahoma City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 90.408 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,286 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $166,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$121,694
2025 BLS Actual
$146,520
2026 Current Est.
$150,286
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,148 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,694 (2019) to $146,520 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,148 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,454 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma City 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) | $86,302 – $118,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,622 – $150,286 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,286 – $166,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,051 – $190,370 |
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 Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City employs around 130 air traffic controllers, offering a solid job market despite a cost-of-living index of 90.408, which makes for a relatively favorable economic environment. Controllers working for en route facilities, such as FAA centers, generally earn more than their counterparts in terminal or tower operations. Factors contributing to the variation in salaries include the facility type, certification status, shift differentials, and the need for overtime due to chronic understaffing issues within the FAA. To maximize pay, aspiring controllers should consider pursuing positions at higher-tier facilities, securing CPC certification, and being open to shifts that offer premium pay. Understanding these market dynamics is essential for anyone exploring how much air traffic controllers make in Oklahoma City, OK.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Oklahoma City, OK in 2026?
Is Oklahoma City, OK a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Oklahoma City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Oklahoma City?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Oklahoma City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 $146,520 for air traffic controllersin the Oklahoma City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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