Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Webster Groves, MO: $75,807 (2026)

Employers in Webster Groves, primarily the FAA, are the main hires for new graduates entering the air traffic control field. The FAA actively recruits through periodic public bid windows and partnerships with universities as part of their Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. Those applying must be under 31 unless they are military veterans, who can utilize the Veterans Recruitment Authority pathway. Emerging controllers need to meet certain credentials, including U.S. citizenship, passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and successfully completing training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. This training is crucial, lasting an average of 3-5 months, followed by facility-specific onboarding that can extend from 1-3 years. Entry-level controllers should anticipate a slow but steady salary growth trajectory over the initial years, supported by potential overtime resulting from chronic staffing shortages. The potential for significant earnings increases is evident in the larger en route facilities, where qualified controllers can see total compensation rise into the six-figure range as they progress in their careers.