Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $146,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cottonwood Heights, UT earns a median $146,512/year (≈ $70.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cottonwood Heights's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $149,350 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Cottonwood Heights, UT, can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $146,512, which falls slightly below the national median of $151,886. The anticipated salary range in this region shows considerable variation, spanning from a P10 rate of $84,977 to a P90 figure of $205,142. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local variables like the cost of living, which is indexed at 98.1, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to the national standard. Factors such as the facility tier—en route, terminal, or tower—significantly impact compensation levels, with en route controllers generally commanding higher salaries than their terminal and tower counterparts. Consequently, the local job market for air traffic controllers in Cottonwood Heights reflects a competitive yet challenging dynamic.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,977 | $40.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,489 | $50.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,512 | $70.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,585 | $89.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,142 | $98.62 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottonwood Heights
In Cottonwood Heights, UT, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,165 (2026 est.). At $146,512, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottonwood Heights: You'd be above the median
How Cottonwood Heights Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cottonwood Heights median: $146,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottonwood Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $149,046 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -3.54% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cottonwood Heights, UT earn a median of $146,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.70% below the Utah state average of $149,046.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottonwood Heights has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottonwood Heights, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $146,512 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,350 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,639
2025 BLS Actual
$142,841
2026 Current Est.
$146,512
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,639 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottonwood Heights metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $118,639 (2019) to $142,841 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,638 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottonwood Heights 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) | $84,977 – $105,489 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,489 – $146,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,512 – $185,585 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,585 – $205,142 |
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 Cottonwood Heights
Analyzing the local employment landscape reveals that there are currently five air traffic controllers working in Cottonwood Heights, contributing to a niche market. The cost-of-living index at 98.1 suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power of those salaries remains relatively strong. Top-paying employers in the area are often the FAA en route centers, which handle higher-altitude traffic and require more specialized skills, creating pay disparities primarily rooted in facility level. To maximize earnings in this market, controllers should pursue certification as Certified Professional Controllers (CPC) and seek opportunities for shift differentials and overtime, especially given the prevalent staffing shortages in the industry. This strategy allows controllers to enhance their income effectively despite the inherent pay variability influenced by factors such as facility assignment and work schedule.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, UT:
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 $142,841 for air traffic controllersin the Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights 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