Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cheyenne, WY: $147,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cheyenne, WY earns a median $147,835/year (≈ $71.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cheyenne's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $154,316 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cheyenne, Wyoming, the projected median air traffic controller salary for 2026 stands at $147,835, which is slightly lower than the national median of $151,886. This figure reflects a local reality characterized by the economics of overtime; controllers in facilities often working 50-60 hours a week can see their effective compensation significantly boosted by mandatory extra hours. Within the salary range, controllers may earn as little as $85,744 or as much as $219,002, indicating a considerable variance based on experience, certifications, and the specific facilities one might serve. Such estimates are derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost disparities, revealing context-specific information pertinent to Cheyenne's job market.
About the Cheyenne Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,744 | $41.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,186 | $52.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,835 | $71.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,229 | $90.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,002 | $105.29 |
Median Salary Position
2.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cheyenne
In Cheyenne, WY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,258 (2026 est.). At $147,835, the local median is 2.67% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cheyenne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cheyenne Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cheyenne median: $147,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cheyenne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $149,178 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.67% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cheyenne, WY earn a median of $147,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Wyoming state average of $149,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cheyenne has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cheyenne, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,835 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,316 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,710
2025 BLS Actual
$144,131
2026 Current Est.
$147,835
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cheyenne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,942 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,716 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,981 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,131 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,635 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cheyenne metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,710 (2019) to $144,131 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,635 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,925 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cheyenne 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) | $85,744 – $108,186 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,186 – $147,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,835 – $189,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,229 – $219,002 |
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 Cheyenne
At present, Cheyenne employs 13 air traffic controllers, and the local cost of living index is 95.8, indicating a more favorable environment for take-home pay than many other areas. Within this market, employers paying the highest wages tend to be FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, which manage substantial air traffic volumes. Factors driving the pay spread include facility level, with en route positions typically ranking higher than those at tower airports, as well as Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status and various shift differentials. Controllers in Cheyenne can maximize their compensation by strategically pursuing overtime opportunities, considering positions at busier facilities, and staying abreast of development paths that elevate pay grades, all while navigating the ramifications of staffing challenges that have persisted since the post-2013 sequester era.
More salary data for Cheyenne, WY:
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 $144,131 for air traffic controllersin the Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne 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