Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shoreline, WA: $163,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shoreline, WA earns a median $163,620/year (≈ $78.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shoreline's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $152,346 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Shoreline, Washington, can expect a projected median annual salary of $163,620. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $151,886, reflecting the competitive nature of air traffic controller pay in Shoreline WA. Salaries in this area range from approximately $94,900 at the 10th percentile to $236,521 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a significant variance based on experience, specific roles within the facility tier system, and other factors. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional prices, highlight how Shoreline's compensation aligns with a pressing demand for skilled controllers, especially considering the chronic staffing shortages within the FAA.
About the Shoreline Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,900 | $45.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,806 | $56.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,620 | $78.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,434 | $100.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $236,521 | $113.71 |
Median Salary Position
7.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shoreline
In Shoreline, WA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,621 (2026 est.). At $163,620, the local median is 7.73% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shoreline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shoreline Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shoreline median: $163,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shoreline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $163,130 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +7.73% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shoreline, WA earn a median of $163,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.73% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% above the Washington state average of $163,130.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shoreline has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shoreline, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,620 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,346 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,492
2025 BLS Actual
$159,520
2026 Current Est.
$163,620
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shoreline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,496 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,774 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,993 | Actual |
| 2024 | $170,206 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,825 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shoreline metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $132,492 (2019) to $159,520 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,825 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,333 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shoreline 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) | $94,900 – $117,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,806 – $163,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,620 – $209,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,434 – $236,521 |
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 Shoreline
Currently, there are eight air traffic controllers employed in Shoreline, reflecting both job availability and the local market's unique conditions. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the area slightly exceeds the national average, impacting purchasing power for those on the air traffic controller salary in Shoreline. Employers such as FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries, but positions in terminal and tower facilities also provide competitive pay based on responsibility and complexity of operations. Controllers might navigate varying pay structures influenced by facility type, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities—critical components of maximizing earnings in this market. To enhance their pay potential, air traffic controllers in Shoreline should seek out development opportunities in high-traffic environments and consider the benefits of working nights, weekends, and holidays to take advantage of substantial shift differentials.
More salary data for Shoreline, WA:
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 $159,520 for air traffic controllersin the Shoreline 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 Shoreline 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