Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $150,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $150,025/year (≈ $72.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $154,030 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, prospective air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $150,025 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national counterpart of $151,886, reflecting local economic factors and cost-of-living adjustments based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. The projected salary range for these controllers extends from $87,014 at the 10th percentile to $214,757 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant potential for earnings that align with career progression and certification status. The timeline to achieving Certified Professional Controller (CPC) designation typically spans 1-3 years, with developmental controllers often earning between 65% to 75% of CPC pay during this period. As Bethlehem's job market continues to evolve, the demand for skilled air traffic controllers remains critical, especially given the years of staffing shortages faced by the FAA.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,014 | $41.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,019 | $51.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,025 | $72.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,525 | $92.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,757 | $103.25 |
Median Salary Position
1.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,743 (2026 est.). At $150,025, the local median is 1.23% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $150,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $147,954 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.23% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $150,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.23% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $147,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,030 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% 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
$121,483
2025 BLS Actual
$146,266
2026 Current Est.
$150,025
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,881 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,483 (2019) to $146,266 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,881 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,398 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $87,014 – $108,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,019 – $150,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,025 – $191,525 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,525 – $214,757 |
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 Bethlehem
Looking more closely at the local job market, Bethlehem is home to 14 air traffic controllers, and with a cost-of-living index of 97.4, the take-home purchasing power provides a relatively favorable environment compared to many urban centers. Most positions in this area are likely found in FAA facilities, including en route centers and terminal control. Pay scales within these facilities vary significantly; for example, en route controllers typically receive higher compensation compared to those in terminal towers. Factors such as CPC certification, shift differentials, and abundant overtime further influence earning potential. Controllers seeking to maximize their air traffic controller salary in Bethlehem, PA, might consider pursuing advanced certifications or seeking roles at higher-tier facilities where the pay is generally more lucrative, along with opportunities for overtime and special duty pay that reflect the pressing need for experienced personnel in the field.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Bethlehem, PA in 2026?
Is Bethlehem, PA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Bethlehem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Bethlehem?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Bethlehem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $146,266 for air traffic controllersin the Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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