Air Traffic Controller Salary in Kenosha, WI: $139,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Kenosha, WI earns a median $139,366/year (≈ $67.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $149,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For air traffic controllers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the 2026 median salary is projected at $139,366, which reflects a notable decrease of 8.24% compared to the national median of $151,886. The full salary range for this profession spans from $80,832 at the 10th percentile to $206,790 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. With a timeline of 1-3 years to achieve full CPC certification leading to increased pay, Kenosha's local market presents a unique trajectory for air traffic controller compensation that aspiring professionals should consider carefully.
About the Kenosha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,832 | $38.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,189 | $49.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,366 | $67.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,301 | $85.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,790 | $99.42 |
Median Salary Position
8.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,958 (2026 est.). At $139,366, the local median is 8.24% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kenosha Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $139,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,490 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.24% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $139,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha 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.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,366 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,214 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,852
2025 BLS Actual
$135,874
2026 Current Est.
$139,366
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,852 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,349 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,056 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $112,852 (2019) to $135,874 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,096 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $80,832 – $102,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,189 – $139,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,366 – $177,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,301 – $206,790 |
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 Kenosha
In Kenosha, there are currently 25 air traffic controllers employed, which indicates a competitive job market for this type of role. The city's cost of living index of 93.4 provides a favorable context for take-home pay, allowing controllers to maximize their purchasing power. The local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities, particularly the FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACON), often offer higher-paying positions compared to airport traffic control towers. Factors influencing the variance in pay include facility classification—en route facilities generally offer better compensation than tower-level jobs—as well as CPC certification status, which can dictate salary levels of 65-75% of full CPC pay. Additionally, night shifts, holiday work, and overtime can further enhance earnings. For those looking to boost their air traffic controller pay in Kenosha, maximizing availability for shift work and seeking positions that offer higher tiers within the FAA are effective strategies in navigating the local compensation landscape.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Kenosha, WI in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Kenosha?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Kenosha?
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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 $135,874 for air traffic controllersin the Kenosha 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 Kenosha 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