Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $152,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $152,270/year (≈ $73.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $156,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual air traffic controller salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is projected to reach $152,270, which is slightly above the national median of $151,886. The pay range for this profession is quite broad, starting at approximately $88,317 on the low end (P10) and hitting around $230,763 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, highlight not only competitive compensation but also the potential for significant earnings through overtime. Given the ongoing staffing shortages, controllers often work extended hours, which translates to higher effective pay. This fact emphasizes the appeal of air traffic controller positions in Pittsburgh's job market, where the demand for qualified personnel remains strong.
About the Pittsburgh Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,317 | $42.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,635 | $52.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,270 | $73.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,906 | $93.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,763 | $110.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,446 (2026 est.). At $152,270, the local median is 0.25% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $152,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $147,979 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +0.25% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $152,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.25% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $147,979.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $152,270 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,335 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,301
2025 BLS Actual
$148,455
2026 Current Est.
$152,270
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,301 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,728 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,455 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $123,301 (2019) to $148,455 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,883 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $88,317 – $109,635 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,635 – $152,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,270 – $194,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,906 – $230,763 |
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 Pittsburgh
With 58 air traffic controllers currently employed in Pittsburgh, the local job market reflects a steady demand for this critical workforce. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 97.4, indicating that Pittsburgh is slightly more affordable than the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power of these professionals. Employers in the region that typically offer the highest salaries include FAA en route centers, which handle high-altitude air traffic, followed by FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers. The variation in pay often stems from factors like the specific facility tier, certifications, and shift differentials that encourage controllers to take on less desirable hours. Strategies to maximize earnings in Pittsburgh may include seeking positions at higher-tier facilities, obtaining CPC certification as quickly as possible, and taking advantage of mandatory overtime shifts. In light of the chronic staffing issues and early retirements faced across the FAA, controllers can position themselves well for financial growth in this evolving market.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 $148,455 for air traffic controllersin the Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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