Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Littleton, CO: $89,863 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Littleton, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $89,863 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Littleton's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,584 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($154,935) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Littleton, Colorado, those entering the air traffic control profession can expect a starting air traffic controller salary of $89,863 in 2026. This figure represents the lower percentile of what new graduates can realistically anticipate, highlighting a significant gap between entry-level pay and the city's median salary of $154,935. Over the first few years, aspiring controllers can see their earnings grow, moving from $89,863 to $111,553 as they gain experience, with a trajectory leading toward the median salary within three to five years. Given the competitive nature of the industry and the current hiring trends, Littleton remains a viable market for recent graduates seeking their first position in air traffic control.
About the Littleton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Littleton
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Littleton
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Littleton, CO typically start between $89,863 and $111,553 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $131,882 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $154,935 — 2.01% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Colorado of $42,000 represents just 46.74% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($89,863/year) in Littleton. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Littleton
- 1Research the Littleton market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $89,863 to $111,553, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Littleton, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Littleton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Littleton's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Littleton is $131,882 ( 146.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $89,863, experienced hygienists can earn up to $221,745.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,338
2025 BLS Actual
$87,611
2026 Current Est.
$89,863
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Littleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,338 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,288 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,863 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,172 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Littleton, CO grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $76,338 in 2019 to $87,611 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $92,172. New graduates entering the Littleton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Littleton 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.
Starting Your aviation Career in Littleton
Opportunities for employment in this profession primarily stem from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which actively recruits new controllers through various pathways. Fresh graduates can apply through direct hiring bids or benefit from partnerships with universities via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). It’s essential for applicants to be under 31 unless they are military veterans; this demographic distinction shapes the pool of eligible candidates. Candidates also need to meet specific qualifications, including a bachelor's degree or substantial work experience, and successfully passing the FAA's Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test. Once accepted, controllers undergo paid training at the FAA Academy, followed by facility-specific training that may take one to three years before they qualify as fully certified professional controllers. Given the unique opportunities presented by the FAA and the anticipated growth in starting air traffic controller pay in Littleton, new graduates can set realistic salary expectations as they embark on their promising careers in this essential field.
More salary data for Littleton, CO:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Littleton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Littleton 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