Air Traffic Controller Salary in Mount Pleasant, WI: $136,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Mount Pleasant, WI earns a median $136,103/year (≈ $65.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Mount Pleasant's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $145,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $136,103 in 2026, air traffic controller pay in Mount Pleasant, WI, reflects a competitive, albeit lower, tier when compared to the national average of $151,886. The salary range for this role starts at $78,940 for entry-level positions (P10) and can reach up to $186,639 for experienced controllers (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate that controllers in Mount Pleasant may find themselves earning slightly less than their counterparts nationwide. Nevertheless, the local aviation market maintains its significance, and the area's specific needs and requirements influence both demand and compensation for air traffic controllers.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,784 | $48.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,103 | $65.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,007 | $81.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,639 | $89.73 |
Median Salary Position
10.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,699 (2026 est.). At $136,103, the local median is 10.39% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Pleasant: You'd be above the median
How Mount Pleasant Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Mount Pleasant median: $136,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Pleasant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,457 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.39% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Pleasant, WI earn a median of $136,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.39% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,457.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Pleasant 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.
Mount Pleasant, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,103 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,721 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$110,210
2025 BLS Actual
$132,693
2026 Current Est.
$136,103
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,268 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,693 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,210 (2019) to $132,693 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,391 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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) | $78,940 – $100,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,784 – $136,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,103 – $170,007 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,007 – $186,639 |
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 Mount Pleasant
The job market for air traffic controllers in Mount Pleasant is relatively small, with only five currently employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index is notably below the national average at 93.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower, the purchasing power can be more favorable. Controller salaries are influenced by several factors, primarily the facility tier where one is employed. En route centers typically offer higher pay scales than terminal facilities or airport control towers, with substantive disparities due to CPC certification status, shift differentials, and abundant overtime—necessitated by chronic staffing shortages. Strategies for maximizing compensation might include pursuing positions within higher-paying en route centers or leveraging overtime opportunities while maintaining flexibility with scheduling. Awareness of the unique demands in the Mount Pleasant market will be crucial for controllers seeking to optimize their earnings.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Mount Pleasant, WI in 2026?
Is Mount Pleasant, WI a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Mount Pleasant?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Mount Pleasant?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Mount Pleasant?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $132,693 for air traffic controllersin the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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