Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tulsa, OK: $140,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tulsa, OK earns a median $140,172/year (≈ $67.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $157,674 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Tulsa, Oklahoma is projected to reach a median of $140,172, reflecting the high demand and ever-increasing workload due to understaffed facilities. The salary range varies significantly from $81,300 at the 10th percentile to $214,902 at the 90th percentile. This figure, while lower than the national median of $151,886, still represents a lucrative opportunity for those in this profession, particularly when considering the potential for overtime, which can be substantial with many controllers clocking in 50-60 hour weeks. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data provide a promising outlook for Tulsa's air traffic controllers, especially in light of projected growth rates of 2.57% per annum.
About the Tulsa Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,924 | $48.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,172 | $67.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,421 | $86.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,902 | $103.32 |
Median Salary Position
7.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,602 (2026 est.). At $140,172, the local median is 7.71% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulsa Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $140,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,041 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.71% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $140,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.71% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.80% above the Oklahoma state average of $135,041.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa 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.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $140,172 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,674 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,850
2025 BLS Actual
$136,660
2026 Current Est.
$140,172
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 38.2% from $98,850 (2019) to $136,660 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,925 (45.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $81,300 – $100,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,924 – $140,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,172 – $179,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,421 – $214,902 |
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 Tulsa
The local job market in Tulsa consists of about 102 air traffic controllers, a figure that indicates a relatively stable workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 88.9—significantly below the national average—take-home purchasing power typically allows for a comfortable lifestyle. Most lucrative positions in the area are found within FAA en route centers, which control high-altitude traffic and typically offer higher salaries compared to other facilities like terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) or airport traffic control towers. Factors contributing to the varied pay include facility level, certification status, and shift differentials, with controllers in advanced roles earning premiums for nights and weekends. Given the chronic understaffing across the FAA and the consistent overtime opportunities, new controllers should focus on gaining experience in high-traffic facilities to maximize their earning potential in Tulsa OK.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $136,660 for air traffic controllersin the Tulsa 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 Tulsa 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