Air Traffic Controller Salary in Sand Springs, OK: $124,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Sand Springs, OK earns a median $124,107/year (≈ $59.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Sand Springs's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $139,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controller salaries in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $124,107. This represents a notable divergence from the national median of $151,886, indicating that local air traffic controller compensation lags behind the national average by 18.29%. Within this market, the salary range is broad, extending from $71,982 at the 10th percentile to $171,682 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differing levels of experience and certification. Much of air traffic controller pay in Sand Springs is influenced by the developmental controller economic structure, where earnings can increase significantly as individuals progress from a trainee to a fully certified professional controller, a process that typically spans one to three years. Within this context, understanding local salary dynamics is crucial for current and prospective controllers in the region.
About the Sand Springs Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,982 | $34.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,173 | $43.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,107 | $59.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,786 | $75.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,682 | $82.54 |
Median Salary Position
18.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sand Springs
In Sand Springs, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,700 (2026 est.). At $124,107, the local median is 18.29% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sand Springs: You'd be above the median
How Sand Springs Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Sand Springs median: $124,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sand Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,045 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -18.29% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sand Springs, OK earn a median of $124,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.29% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 8.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,045.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sand Springs 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.
Sand Springs, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $124,107 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,496
2025 BLS Actual
$120,997
2026 Current Est.
$124,107
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sand Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,496 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,062 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sand Springs metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $100,496 (2019) to $120,997 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,800 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sand Springs 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) | $71,982 – $90,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,173 – $124,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,107 – $156,786 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,786 – $171,682 |
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 Sand Springs
Currently, there are only six air traffic controllers employed in Sand Springs, highlighting a localized workforce within this high-demand field. The cost-of-living index in the area is 88.9, which is below the national average, making the purchasing power of salaries somewhat more favorable despite the lower pay levels. Most compensation opportunities may arise from federal employment at FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach control facilities, which typically offer higher pay structures than airport control towers. Factors such as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and available overtime opportunities particularly impact earnings. Controllers seeking to maximize their pay in Sand Springs can benefit from pursuing advancement to higher-level facilities or enhancing their qualifications to attain more favorable certification levels.
More salary data for Sand Springs, 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 $120,997 for air traffic controllersin the Sand Springs 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 Sand Springs 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