Air Traffic Controller Salary in Watertown, SD: $126,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Watertown, SD earns a median $126,241/year (≈ $60.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $136,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, South Dakota, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $126,241 in 2026. This figure shows a clear contrast to the national median of $151,886, reflecting a compensation structure that is shaped by facility tiers, with en route Level 12 positions typically offering the highest pay, followed by terminal and tower roles. The local salary range from $73,220 at the 10th percentile to $173,856 at the 90th percentile highlights the variability depending on experience, certification, and type of facility. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the cost of living, allowing insights into how pay in Watertown stacks up against broader trends in air traffic control across the country.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,220 | $35.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,961 | $43.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,241 | $60.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,720 | $76.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,856 | $83.58 |
Median Salary Position
16.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,636 (2026 est.). At $126,241, the local median is 16.88% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be above the median
How Watertown Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Watertown median: $126,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $131,228 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.88% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Watertown, SD earn a median of $126,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.88% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $131,228.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown 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.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,241 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,036 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,224
2025 BLS Actual
$123,078
2026 Current Est.
$126,241
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,921 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,078 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,224 (2019) to $123,078 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,262 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $73,220 – $90,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,961 – $126,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,241 – $158,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,720 – $173,856 |
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 Watertown
Currently, there are only six air traffic controllers employed in Watertown, which hints at a small but defined local job market. The cost of living index in this area is 92.8, indicating a relatively affordable environment that positively influences the buying power of salaries. Among local employers, the FAA and associated contracts at nearby facilities typically drive the highest compensation. Factors determining salary variations include the facility type—where en route centers offer better rates compared to tower facilities—and controller certification levels. Additional components such as shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and locality pay further augment earnings. For those seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Watertown, securing advanced certifications and seeking roles that allow for overtime could prove beneficial, given the competitive landscape defined by chronic staffing challenges in the FAA system.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
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 $123,078 for air traffic controllersin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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