Air Traffic Controller Salary in Stevens Point, WI: $135,242 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Stevens Point, WI earns a median $135,242/year (≈ $65.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Stevens Point's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $144,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Stevens Point is projected to reach a median annual earnings of $135,242. Salary estimates for this occupation range from $78,440 at the entry-level (P10) to $192,132 for the most experienced professionals (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, making them relevant for job seekers considering a position in this field. For air traffic controllers in Stevens Point, the journey to full pay typically takes one to three years as employees progress from a developmental controller role to Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status. This aspect, combined with the limited number of controllers in the area, shapes the local job market and salary competitiveness.
About the Stevens Point Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,105 | $47.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,242 | $65.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,099 | $83.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,132 | $92.37 |
Median Salary Position
10.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stevens Point
In Stevens Point, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,692 (2026 est.). At $135,242, the local median is 10.96% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stevens Point: You'd be above the median
How Stevens Point Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Stevens Point median: $135,242/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stevens Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,584 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.96% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Stevens Point, WI earn a median of $135,242 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.96% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stevens Point 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.
Stevens Point, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $135,242 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,512
2025 BLS Actual
$131,853
2026 Current Est.
$135,242
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Stevens Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,128 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,532 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,758 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,326 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,061 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,853 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,242 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stevens Point metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,512 (2019) to $131,853 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,205 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stevens Point 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) | $78,440 – $99,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,105 – $135,242 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,242 – $173,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,099 – $192,132 |
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 Stevens Point
While only four air traffic controllers are currently employed in Stevens Point, the cost of living index, set at 93.4, presents a favorable scenario for take-home purchasing power. Several factors influence compensation within this niche market, including the type of facility where controllers work. For instance, FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries, although terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers follow closely behind. Controllers can also increase their earnings through shift differentials for night and holiday work, along with abundant opportunities for mandatory overtime—a response to ongoing staffing shortages. Potential candidates should consider strategies such as seeking employment with higher-tiered facilities and maximizing overtime to enhance their overall pay in Stevens Point, WI. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those exploring how much air traffic controllers make in Stevens Point.
More salary data for Stevens Point, 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 $131,853 for air traffic controllersin the Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point 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