Air Traffic Controller Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $133,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Fond du Lac, WI earns a median $133,977/year (≈ $64.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Fond du Lac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $143,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected air traffic controller salary in Fond du Lac, WI, for 2026 is $133,977, which is notably lower than the national median of $151,886. While controllers here can earn between $77,707 and $188,256 depending on experience and responsibilities, many face the reality of working 50 to 60-hour weeks due to chronic staffing shortages. These extended hours can significantly enhance overall compensation through mandatory overtime, creating a viable income stream that often compensates for the lower base salary compared to larger, metropolitan areas. Such dynamics serve to make Fond du Lac's air traffic controller job market distinct, particularly in how compensation is structured around the critical need for consistent coverage and operational efficiency.
About the Fond du Lac Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,707 | $37.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,663 | $46.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,977 | $64.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,808 | $81.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,256 | $90.51 |
Median Salary Position
11.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,549 (2026 est.). At $133,977, the local median is 11.79% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fond du Lac: You'd be above the median
How Fond du Lac Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Fond du Lac median: $133,977/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fond du Lac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,584 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.79% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $133,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fond du Lac has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fond du Lac, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $133,977 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,444 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,488
2025 BLS Actual
$130,620
2026 Current Est.
$133,977
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,451 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,657 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,182 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,985 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,488 (2019) to $130,620 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,932 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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) | $77,707 – $96,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,663 – $133,977 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,977 – $169,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,808 – $188,256 |
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 Fond du Lac
With just eight air traffic controllers employed in the Fond du Lac area, the job market is relatively tight, contributing to a competitive compensation environment. The local cost of living index stands at 93.4, meaning the purchasing power for air traffic controller salaries may be more favorable than in other regions with higher costs. In Fond du Lac, the FAA terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers typically offer the best pay opportunities for controllers. Various pay factors, including facility level adjustments, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and locality pay, drive the disparity in salaries. Controllers can maximize earnings by seeking out hours at higher-tier facilities or achieving CPC certification, while also taking advantage of the increased pay associated with overtime and weekend shifts to enhance their overall earning potential.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
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 $130,620 for air traffic controllersin the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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