Air Traffic Controller Salary in Mequon, WI: $131,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Mequon, WI earns a median $131,323/year (≈ $63.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Mequon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $140,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mequon, Wisconsin, the air traffic controller salary in 2026 is projected to be a median of $131,323, reflecting a competitive compensation structure influenced by facility tier classifications. Controllers at en route Level 12 facilities can expect higher earnings compared to those in terminal and tower facilities, with local salaries ranging from $78,215 at the lower end (P10) to $173,765 at the higher end (P90). These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The salary trends present in Mequon not only reveal the earning potential for controllers but also point to emerging opportunities amidst a growing demand for air traffic management professionals.
About the Mequon Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,215 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,083 | $47.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,323 | $63.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,722 | $77.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,765 | $83.54 |
Median Salary Position
13.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mequon
In Mequon, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,550 (2026 est.). At $131,323, the local median is 13.54% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mequon: You'd be above the median
How Mequon Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Mequon median: $131,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mequon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,453 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.54% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Mequon, WI earn a median of $131,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.54% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,453.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mequon 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.
Mequon, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,323 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,340
2025 BLS Actual
$128,033
2026 Current Est.
$131,323
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mequon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,185 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,346 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,782 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,727 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mequon metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,340 (2019) to $128,033 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,358 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mequon 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) | $78,215 – $98,083 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,083 – $131,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,323 – $160,722 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,722 – $173,765 |
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 Mequon
With just five air traffic controllers employed in the local area, Mequon presents a unique job market for this profession. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, which is below the national average, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national median of $151,886, controllers can enjoy relatively more purchasing power than in other high-cost regions. Among local employers, those in the FAA en route centers typically offer the most competitive pay, followed by terminal facilities. Factors driving salary variations include facility type, certification status, and additional compensation opportunities such as shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and traffic management coordinator pay. To maximize their earnings, aspiring controllers in Mequon should consider obtaining certification as a certified professional controller (CPC), pursuing opportunities that allow for overtime, and targeting higher-tier facilities where salaries reflect their greater responsibilities and complexities in air traffic management.
More salary data for Mequon, 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 $128,033 for air traffic controllersin the Mequon 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 Mequon 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