Air Traffic Controller Salary in Sandy, UT: $150,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Sandy, UT earns a median $150,844/year (≈ $72.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Sandy's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $153,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controller salaries in Sandy, UT, are projected to reach a median annual income of $150,844, slightly below the national average of $151,886. The salary range for controllers in this area spans from $87,489 at the 10th percentile to as high as $220,491 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors, with Sandy’s cost of living index at 98.1 indicating a below-average expense environment. For those pursuing a career as an air traffic controller in Sandy, it typically takes about 1-3 years to attain full certification and realize optimal pay, reflecting the developmental path within this role that directly correlates with experience and job responsibilities.
About the Sandy Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,489 | $42.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,607 | $52.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,844 | $72.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,080 | $92.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,491 | $106.01 |
Median Salary Position
0.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sandy
In Sandy, UT, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,002 (2026 est.). At $150,844, the local median is 0.69% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sandy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sandy Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Sandy median: $150,844/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sandy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $149,055 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.69% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sandy, UT earn a median of $150,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.69% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% above the Utah state average of $149,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sandy 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.
Sandy, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,844 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,766 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,146
2025 BLS Actual
$147,064
2026 Current Est.
$150,844
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sandy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,146 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,525 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,437 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,064 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,720 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sandy metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $122,146 (2019) to $147,064 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,720 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,574 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sandy 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) | $87,489 – $108,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,607 – $150,844 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,844 – $193,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,080 – $220,491 |
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 Sandy
The job market in Sandy is relatively stable, with 18 air traffic controllers currently employed in the area. While this number may seem small, it highlights a localized demand for skilled controllers in a context where the cost of living allows for more purchasing power on the take-home salary. Sandy’s controllers work across various types of facilities, including FAA en route centers, terminal TRACONs, and airport control towers, with en route centers generally offering higher salaries due to the complexity of their operations. Factors influencing the pay range in this city include the facility tiering system, with en route positions typically paying more than terminal or tower roles. Additionally, controllers here benefit from factors like shift differentials—10% for night shifts and up to 100% for holidays—as well as mandatory overtime due to ongoing staffing shortages, which have been exacerbated since the 2013 sequester. For prospective air traffic controllers in Sandy, capitalizing on overtime opportunities and aiming for employment at higher-tier facilities can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Sandy, 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 $147,064 for air traffic controllersin the Sandy 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 Sandy 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