Air Traffic Controller Salary in Riverton, WY: $139,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Riverton, WY earns a median $139,370/year (≈ $67.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Riverton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $145,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Riverton, Wyoming, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $139,370 as of 2026. This figure reflects the compensation structure for various facility levels, with salaries ranging from $83,444 at the 10th percentile to $192,544 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price factors, indicate a competitive pay scale relative to the national average, which stands at $151,886. However, the salary in Riverton is approximately 8.24% lower than the national median. This differential can be attributed to the limited number of facilities and the relatively lower demand for air traffic controllers in smaller markets such as Riverton when compared to high-traffic areas.
About the Riverton Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,444 | $40.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,968 | $49.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,370 | $67.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,603 | $84.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,544 | $92.57 |
Median Salary Position
8.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverton
In Riverton, WY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,100 (2026 est.). At $139,370, the local median is 8.24% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverton: You'd be above the median
How Riverton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Riverton median: $139,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $149,218 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.24% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Riverton, WY earn a median of $139,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.60% below the Wyoming state average of $149,218.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverton 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.
Riverton, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,480 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,855
2025 BLS Actual
$135,878
2026 Current Est.
$139,370
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Riverton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,855 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,673 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,352 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,569 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,952 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $112,855 (2019) to $135,878 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,097 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverton 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) | $83,444 – $103,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,968 – $139,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,370 – $175,603 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,603 – $192,544 |
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 Riverton
Air traffic controller pay in Riverton, WY, can be influenced by several local economic variables and industry dynamics. Currently, there are only four air traffic controllers employed in the area, which indicates a niche job market. The cost-of-living index of 95.8 suggests that although salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively stable in the region. Facilities such as FAA terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers are key employers in this market. The primary contributors to the variance in pay levels stem from facility tiers, with en route positions, particularly Level 12 and higher, offering the most competitive salaries. For controllers seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing CPC certification and considering shift differentials, particularly for night and weekend work, are smart strategies in Riverton's job landscape. Understanding these nuances can provide significant advantages in negotiating a better air traffic controller salary in Riverton.
More salary data for Riverton, 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 $135,878 for air traffic controllersin the Riverton 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 Riverton 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