Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lander, WY: $143,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lander, WY earns a median $143,017/year (≈ $68.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lander's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $149,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lander, Wyoming, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers is $143,017 in 2026, which reflects the local demand and market dynamics. The salary range for this occupation spans from $82,950 at the 10th percentile to $196,035 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by facility tier and controller experience. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, this compensation is slightly below the national median of $151,886, suggesting that while opportunities exist, they may not match the higher pay scales observed in major metropolitan areas. Controllers operating in en route Level 12 facilities generally experience greater pay compared to those in terminal and tower positions, shaping the overall compensation landscape in Lander.
About the Lander Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,972 | $49.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,017 | $68.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,240 | $86.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,035 | $94.25 |
Median Salary Position
5.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lander
In Lander, WY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,085 (2026 est.). At $143,017, the local median is 5.84% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lander: You'd be above the median
How Lander Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lander median: $143,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lander Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $149,288 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.84% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lander, WY earn a median of $143,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.84% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Wyoming state average of $149,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lander 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.
Lander, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,287 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,809
2025 BLS Actual
$139,434
2026 Current Est.
$143,017
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lander (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,174 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,528 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,359 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,434 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lander metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,809 (2019) to $139,434 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,884 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lander 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) | $82,950 – $102,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,972 – $143,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,017 – $179,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,240 – $196,035 |
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 Lander
With only four air traffic controllers employed in Lander, the job market is relatively niche, presenting both challenges and opportunities for career advancement. The cost of living index in Lander stands at 95.8, which is below the national average, thus potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Job seekers should prioritize opportunities with FAA en route centers or terminal facilities, where pay tends to be higher compared to other roles like tower positions or FAA contract towers. Factors driving salary discrepancies in Lander include facility type, CPC certification status, and the potential for overtime, which can significantly increase total earnings. To optimize pay in this specific market, controllers should consider targeting high-traffic periods for overtime opportunities, maintaining flexibility with shift assignments, and seeking positions within en route facilities whenever possible.
More salary data for Lander, 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 $139,434 for air traffic controllersin the Lander 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 Lander 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