Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Frankfort, KY: $73,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Frankfort, KY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,428 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Frankfort's local price level (BEA RPP 89.3 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,226 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,600) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Aspiring air traffic controllers in Frankfort, Kentucky, can expect to begin their careers with an entry-level salary around $73,428 in 2026. This starting amount reflects a significant gap when compared to the median annual salary of $126,600 for air traffic controllers in the city. Over the first few years, new graduates can realistically anticipate salary growth as they gain experience, moving towards the P25 salary of $91,152 within three to five years. With a projected growth rate of 2.57% annually, Frankfort presents a stable job market, making it an attractive opportunity for graduates looking to enter the aviation industry.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Frankfort
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 Frankfort
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Frankfort, KY typically start between $73,428 and $91,152 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $111,084 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,600 — 16.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Kentucky of $30,000 represents just 40.86% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($73,428/year) in Frankfort. 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 Frankfort
- 1Research the Frankfort market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $73,428 to $91,152, 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 KY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Frankfort, 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 Frankfort for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Frankfort's below-average 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 Frankfort is $111,084 ( 151.28%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,428, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,512.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,377
2025 BLS Actual
$71,588
2026 Current Est.
$73,428
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,421 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,618 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,179 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,552 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,869 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,588 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,315 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Frankfort, KY grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,377 in 2019 to $71,588 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,315. New graduates entering the Frankfort job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frankfort 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 Frankfort
When it comes to securing those starting positions, the FAA is the primary employer in Frankfort, actively recruiting new graduates through specific hiring pathways. Candidates under the age of 31 are eligible to apply unless they are military veterans, who have additional options under the Veterans Recruitment Authority. Relevant credentials are vital; applicants must possess U.S. citizenship, meet educational requirements (either a degree or significant work experience), and pass the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). To boost starting pay, pursuing a bachelor’s degree or completing the FAA Academy training, which is compensated, can be advantageous. As controllers are part of the FG pay scale distinct from the GS scale, career growth within the first few years can lead to compensation levels that might significantly exceed initial starting salaries, especially in top-tier facilities or as overtime becomes a consistent option due to high demand for staffing.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
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 Frankfort. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Frankfort 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