Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $133,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Pleasant Prairie, WI earns a median $133,479/year (≈ $64.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Pleasant Prairie's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $142,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, can anticipate a 2026 median salary of $133,479, significantly below the national average of $151,886. The effective compensation for controllers often reflects the demands of the job, particularly the prevalence of 50-60 hour workweeks at staffing-challenged facilities, leading to considerable overtime opportunities. Local pay ranges from $77,418 at the 10th percentile to $188,281 at the 90th percentile, with estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price variations. Such a salary trajectory indicates that those who excel at managing their workload and are willing to put in extra hours can enhance their earnings in this competitive market.
About the Pleasant Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,418 | $37.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,105 | $46.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,479 | $64.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,944 | $79.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,281 | $90.52 |
Median Salary Position
12.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pleasant Prairie
In Pleasant Prairie, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,863 (2026 est.). At $133,479, the local median is 12.12% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pleasant Prairie: You'd be above the median
How Pleasant Prairie Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Pleasant Prairie median: $133,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pleasant Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,505 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.12% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Pleasant Prairie, WI earn a median of $133,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,505.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pleasant Prairie 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.
Pleasant Prairie, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $133,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,911 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,086
2025 BLS Actual
$130,135
2026 Current Est.
$133,479
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,086 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,732 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,910 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pleasant Prairie metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,086 (2019) to $130,135 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,910 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,824 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Prairie 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) | $77,418 – $96,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,105 – $133,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,479 – $165,944 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,944 – $188,281 |
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 Pleasant Prairie
Looking at the current job market for air traffic controllers in Pleasant Prairie, only four licensed controllers are employed in the area, highlighting a niche opportunity for aspiring candidates. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, meaning that while salaries are lower than the national average, they may still afford a decent living due to the moderate living costs. Employers like the FAA operate various facilities in the region including terminal radar approach control and local airport traffic control towers, which offer varying compensation packages based on facility tier. Pay differentials, often driven by certification status, region-specific locality pay, and overtime, can contribute significantly to take-home earnings. Controllers looking to maximize their pay in Pleasant Prairie should consider pursuing Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status and be prepared to work the shifts that come with added bonuses, particularly night and holiday hours, to leverage the unique compensation structure of the region.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, 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 $130,135 for air traffic controllersin the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie 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