Air Traffic Controller Salary in Rawlins, WY: $141,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Rawlins, WY earns a median $141,446/year (≈ $68.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Rawlins's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $147,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Rawlins, Wyoming, can anticipate a median annual salary of $141,446. This figure reflects an estimated salary range from $82,039 at the 10th percentile to $199,348 at the 90th percentile. Local salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price levels. Given the rigorous training and certification timeline—typically spanning 1 to 3 years to attain full pay—newly licensed controllers in Rawlins face a unique economic environment where their earnings potential is affected by facility type, experience level, and specialization. The job market in Rawlins shows a small but dedicated workforce, with four air traffic controllers currently employed in the area.
About the Rawlins Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,039 | $39.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,841 | $48.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,446 | $68.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,425 | $82.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,348 | $95.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rawlins
In Rawlins, WY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,309 (2026 est.). At $141,446, the local median is 6.87% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rawlins: You'd be above the median
How Rawlins Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Rawlins median: $141,446/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rawlins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $149,205 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.87% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Rawlins, WY earn a median of $141,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.87% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Wyoming state average of $149,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rawlins 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.
Rawlins, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,446 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,647 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,537
2025 BLS Actual
$137,902
2026 Current Est.
$141,446
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rawlins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,456 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,832 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,937 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,902 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,081 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rawlins metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,537 (2019) to $137,902 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,544 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rawlins 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) | $82,039 – $101,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,841 – $141,446 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,446 – $172,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,425 – $199,348 |
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 Rawlins
Understanding air traffic controller pay in Rawlins WY involves consideration of both local compensation and the cost-of-living index, which stands at 95.8, indicating a below-average living expense. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power of controllers, making salaries more impactful despite being slightly below the national median of $151,886. The primary employers for controllers in this region include FAA airport traffic control towers and other facilities, each offering varying pay based on their designation within the tier system, with en route centers generally offering the higher salaries. Factors such as the level of facility, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities also contribute to the salary spread in this area. Controllers seeking to maximize their compensation may benefit from pursuing certifications that elevate their tier ranking and being flexible with night and holiday shifts that offer additional pay.
More salary data for Rawlins, 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 $137,902 for air traffic controllersin the Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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