Air Traffic Controller Salary in Vermillion, SD: $121,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Vermillion, SD earns a median $121,264/year (≈ $58.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Vermillion's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $130,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in Vermillion, South Dakota, is expected to reach $121,264. This figure reflects the economic realities of working in understaffed facilities, where controllers often clock 50 to 60-hour weeks, significantly boosting their effective compensation through overtime. Salaries in the area range from $70,358 at the 10th percentile to $165,051 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a wide pay gap driven by experience, certification, and the specific nature of the facilities where individuals are employed. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living differences, providing a context that aids prospective controllers in understanding the local job market.
About the Vermillion Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,358 | $33.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,829 | $42.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,264 | $58.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,828 | $73.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,051 | $79.35 |
Median Salary Position
20.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vermillion
In Vermillion, SD, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,693 (2026 est.). At $121,264, the local median is 20.16% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vermillion: You'd be above the median
How Vermillion Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Vermillion median: $121,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vermillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $131,239 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -20.16% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Vermillion, SD earn a median of $121,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.16% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $131,239.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vermillion has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vermillion, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $121,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% 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
$98,194
2025 BLS Actual
$118,226
2026 Current Est.
$121,264
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Vermillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,126 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,683 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermillion metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $98,194 (2019) to $118,226 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,187 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermillion 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) | $70,358 – $88,829 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,829 – $121,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,264 – $153,828 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,828 – $165,051 |
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 Vermillion
Currently, there are six air traffic controllers working in Vermillion, a testament to the small yet specialized local labor force in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, residents find that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, their purchasing power is somewhat preserved due to more affordable living conditions. Among potential employers, FAA en route centers, FAA terminal control facilities, and military operations stand out for offering higher compensation. The variation in pay largely hinges on the facility's level and the individual’s certification status. Experienced controllers can maximize their earnings by pursuing opportunities for overtime, shift differentials, and exploring advancement pathways that lead to positions with higher pay scales. This dynamic environment in Vermillion requires tailored strategies to optimize financial rewards, particularly as controllers navigate the challenges of staffing and demand within the air traffic control realm.
More salary data for Vermillion, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Vermillion, SD in 2026?
Is Vermillion, SD a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Vermillion?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Vermillion?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Vermillion?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 $118,226 for air traffic controllersin the Vermillion 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 Vermillion 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