Air Traffic Controller Salary in Draper, UT: $148,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Draper, UT earns a median $148,613/year (≈ $71.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Draper's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $151,491 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Draper, Utah, the projected median annual salary for an air traffic controller in 2026 is $148,613, slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary range is broad, spanning from $86,196 at the 10th percentile to $213,139 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in pay levels based on facility type and controller experience. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost differentials, reflects the tiered compensation structure prevalent in air traffic control careers. Controllers stationed at en route Level 12 facilities typically see higher earnings compared to those at terminal or tower facilities, which could influence job seekers' decisions when exploring positions in Draper.
About the Draper Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,196 | $41.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,001 | $51.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,613 | $71.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,965 | $91.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,139 | $102.47 |
Median Salary Position
2.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Draper
In Draper, UT, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,943 (2026 est.). At $148,613, the local median is 2.15% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Draper: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Draper Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Draper median: $148,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Draper Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $149,060 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.15% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Draper, UT earn a median of $148,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.15% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% below the Utah state average of $149,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Draper 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.
Draper, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $148,613 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,491 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,340
2025 BLS Actual
$144,889
2026 Current Est.
$148,613
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Draper (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,432 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Draper metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $120,340 (2019) to $144,889 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,432 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,092 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Draper 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) | $86,196 – $107,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,001 – $148,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,613 – $189,965 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,965 – $213,139 |
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 Draper
At present, there are 10 air traffic controllers employed in the Draper area, representing a small but focused job market. With a cost-of-living index of 98.1, the purchasing power of salaries here is reasonably balanced relative to national averages, allowing controllers to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include FAA en route centers, which manage high-altitude traffic, while those at terminal and tower facilities generally provide lower pay scales. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include the level of the facility (with en route controllers often earning more than those in terminal roles), certification status, shift differentials for night and weekend shifts, and the potential for mandated overtime. To maximize compensation, controllers in Draper might consider pursuing their Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status or seeking roles in higher-tier facilities or areas with more operational traffic.
More salary data for Draper, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Draper?
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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 $144,889 for air traffic controllersin the Draper 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 Draper 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