Air Traffic Controller Salary in West Allis, WI: $140,635 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in West Allis, WI earns a median $140,635/year (≈ $67.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in West Allis's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $150,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in West Allis, Wisconsin, is projected to reach a median of $140,635, illustrating the competitive nature of this profession despite its slight lag behind the national median of $151,886. Within this framework, the salary range extends from $81,568 at the 10th percentile to $202,666 at the 90th percentile, reflective of the local job market dynamics and individual controller experience. These figures derive from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variations, highlighting how the ongoing challenge of staffing in air traffic control facilities often leads to longer working hours for controllers—frequently pushing their work weeks to 50 or 60 hours. This increased workload can significantly enhance effective compensation, a crucial aspect for those considering a role in this field in West Allis.
About the West Allis Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,568 | $39.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,257 | $48.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,635 | $67.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,012 | $86.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,666 | $97.43 |
Median Salary Position
7.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Allis
In West Allis, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,098 (2026 est.). At $140,635, the local median is 7.41% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Allis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Allis Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
West Allis median: $140,635/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Allis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,494 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.41% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in West Allis, WI earn a median of $140,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.41% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $140,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Allis 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.
West Allis, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $140,635 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,573 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,880
2025 BLS Actual
$137,111
2026 Current Est.
$140,635
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in West Allis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,759 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,204 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,649 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,111 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,635 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,249 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Allis metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,880 (2019) to $137,111 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,249 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,369 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Allis 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) | $81,568 – $101,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,257 – $140,635 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,635 – $180,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,012 – $202,666 |
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 West Allis
The job market for air traffic controllers in West Allis currently employs 13 professionals in this high-demand field. With a lower cost-of-living index at 93.4, controllers in this area can enjoy relatively better purchasing power despite the lower median salaries compared to national averages. Among local establishments, FAA terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers generally offer the highest pay, although en route centers may provide better compensation due to their traffic volume and complexity. Factors such as facility type, the certification status of controllers, overtime opportunities due to chronic staffing shortages, and shift differentials greatly influence pay disparities. Those looking to maximize their earnings should consider prioritizing roles in more complex en route facilities or seeking responsibilities that afford additional pay incentives, such as overtime or night shifts, making the most of the current economic conditions in the West Allis air traffic control job market.
More salary data for West Allis, 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 $137,111 for air traffic controllersin the West Allis 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 West Allis 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