Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tahlequah, OK: $129,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tahlequah, OK earns a median $129,621/year (≈ $62.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tahlequah's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $145,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Tahlequah, OK, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,621. This local figure reflects estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, which have been adjusted for cost of living considerations, with salaries ranging from $75,180 at the 10th percentile to $173,656 at the 90th percentile. While this compensation is competitive on a regional level, it lags approximately 14.66% behind the national median of $151,886 for air traffic controller salary in the United States. New air traffic controllers can expect to enter a development tier that offers lower pay for the first 1-3 years of employment before moving towards full compensation, illustrating a structured pathway to salary growth in this profession.
About the Tahlequah Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,180 | $36.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,327 | $44.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,621 | $62.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,716 | $78.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,656 | $83.49 |
Median Salary Position
14.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tahlequah
In Tahlequah, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,476 (2026 est.). At $129,621, the local median is 14.66% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tahlequah: You'd be above the median
How Tahlequah Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tahlequah median: $129,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tahlequah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,022 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.66% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tahlequah, OK earn a median of $129,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.00% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,022.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tahlequah 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.
Tahlequah, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $129,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,961
2025 BLS Actual
$126,373
2026 Current Est.
$129,621
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tahlequah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,961 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,952 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tahlequah metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $104,961 (2019) to $126,373 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,991 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tahlequah 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) | $75,180 – $93,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,327 – $129,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,621 – $162,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,716 – $173,656 |
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 Tahlequah
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Tahlequah is fairly modest, with only four controllers employed in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 88.9, controllers can enjoy a higher purchasing power for their salaries compared to the national average. The highest-paying employers in the vicinity typically include FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers, where controller pay often hinges on various factors such as certification status and shift differentials. Since certified professional controllers (CPCs) have a significant pay advantage, aspiring air traffic controllers in Tahlequah may wish to maximize their earnings potential by pursuing quick CPC certification and taking advantage of overtime opportunities, particularly in a market where chronic understaffing has led to abundant shift coverage needs.
More salary data for Tahlequah, 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 $126,373 for air traffic controllersin the Tahlequah 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 Tahlequah 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