Air Traffic Controller Salary in Madison, WI: $143,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Madison, WI earns a median $143,214/year (≈ $68.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Madison's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $153,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the expected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is projected at $143,214, reflecting a competitive position within the industry, albeit slightly below the national median of $151,886. This local salary varies significantly, with an extensive range from $83,064 at the 10th percentile to $219,805 at the 90th percentile, indicating differentiated compensation based on experience level, certification status, and facility tier. Controllers working at en route centers often experience higher pay scales compared to their counterparts at terminal and tower facilities due to their increased responsibilities in managing high-altitude airspace. As a result, understanding these distinctions is vital for professionals considering their career trajectories in Madison's job market.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,064 | $39.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,115 | $49.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,214 | $68.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,314 | $88.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,805 | $105.68 |
Median Salary Position
5.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,741 (2026 est.). At $143,214, the local median is 5.71% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Madison median: $143,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,544 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.71% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Madison, WI earn a median of $143,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.71% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $140,544.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison 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.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,334 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,968
2025 BLS Actual
$139,626
2026 Current Est.
$143,214
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,974 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,843 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,626 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,968 (2019) to $139,626 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,927 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $83,064 – $103,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,115 – $143,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,214 – $183,314 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,314 – $219,805 |
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 Madison
Air traffic controllers in Madison face a local employment scene where 64 professionals are currently employed, reflecting a robust yet competitive job market. The cost of living index in Madison stands at 93.4, which translates to better purchasing power compared to many other parts of the country; this factor can enhance the effective income for controllers in the area. Among the employers, those at FAA en route centers tend to offer the highest pay, followed by terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers. Various factors contribute to salary disparities, including facility levels, certification status, and availability of overtime—overstaffing often leads to significant additional hours. Understanding how to position oneself in terms of certifications and seeking opportunities in facilities with higher pay scales is crucial for maximizing earnings in this market.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $139,626 for air traffic controllersin the Madison 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 Madison 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