Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bend, OR: $160,905 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bend, OR earns a median $160,905/year (≈ $77.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bend's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $156,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bend, Oregon, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $160,905 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge of 5.94% over the national median of $151,886. The salary range in this region is quite notable, spanning from $93,324 at the lower end to as high as $240,938 for top earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, underscore the economic impacts of chronic understaffing in the field. Controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, significantly boosting effective compensation and suggesting a robust demand for skilled professionals in Bend's air traffic control sector.
About the Bend Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,324 | $44.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,852 | $55.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,905 | $77.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,618 | $97.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,938 | $115.83 |
Median Salary Position
5.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $147,614 (2026 est.). At $160,905, the local median is 5.94% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bend Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bend median: $160,905/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,188 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +5.94% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bend, OR earn a median of $160,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.94% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.00% below the Oregon state average of $164,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,905 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,827 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,293
2025 BLS Actual
$156,873
2026 Current Est.
$160,905
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,873 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,905 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $130,293 (2019) to $156,873 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,747 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $93,324 – $115,852 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,852 – $160,905 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,905 – $202,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,618 – $240,938 |
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 Bend
With only 15 air traffic controllers currently employed in Bend, the local job market for these positions is relatively tight. The cost-of-living index sits slightly above the national average at 102.6, which can affect the overall purchasing power for controllers. Opportunities for higher pay often come from FAA en route centers or specialized roles such as traffic management coordinator positions which tend to facilitate better compensation packages. Factors that contribute to the wide salary range in Bend include differences in facility tier levels—en route facilities generally pay more than terminal or tower facilities—along with potential pay enhancements from shift differentials and overtime. Controllers who are proactive in pursuing CPC certification and willing to take on additional shifts can significantly enhance their earnings potential, aligning their compensation more closely with the high demands of the job.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 $156,873 for air traffic controllersin the Bend 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 Bend 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