Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Great Falls, MT: $87,810 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Great Falls, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,810 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Great Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 96.2 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $91,279 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($151,397) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, recent graduates aiming for an entry-level air traffic controller position can expect a starting salary around $87,810 in 2026. This figure presents a noticeable gap when compared to the overall city median annual salary of $151,397. While that starting pay may initially seem low, there is significant room for financial growth within the first few years. As new air traffic controllers progress in their careers, they can anticipate reaching the 25th percentile salary of $109,006 within a relatively short timeframe, paving the way towards the median salary within 3-5 years. Given its competitive salaries, Great Falls presents a favorable market for newly minted graduates entering this critical field of aviation.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Great Falls
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 Great Falls
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Great Falls, MT typically start between $87,810 and $109,006 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $138,916 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $151,397 — 0.32% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Montana of $28,000 represents just 31.89% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($87,810/year) in Great Falls. 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 Great Falls
- 1Research the Great Falls market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $87,810 to $109,006, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Great Falls'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 Great Falls is $138,916 ( 158.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,810, experienced hygienists can earn up to $226,726.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,595
2025 BLS Actual
$85,610
2026 Current Est.
$87,810
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,431 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,337 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,663 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,810 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,067 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Great Falls, MT grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,595 in 2019 to $85,610 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,067. New graduates entering the Great Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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 Great Falls
When pursuing a career in air traffic control, it's vital to have a clear understanding of the hiring landscape in Great Falls. The FAA actively recruits new air traffic controllers through a mix of off-the-street hiring and partnerships with institutions in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. Candidates must generally be under 31 unless they are veterans, thus prioritizing younger applicants. Key qualifications include being a U.S. citizen, having a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience, and successfully passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test. As controllers typically earn a federal FG pay scale salary rather than GS scale, career strategizing should focus on gaining experience while targeting initial facility assignments that lead to certified professional controller (CPC) status. Observing the national trends, well-established facilities like ZNY or ZLA can significantly exceed entry-level salaries, highlighting the potential for earnings to rise quickly. Realistically, a new air traffic controller in Great Falls can expect salary growth that corresponds with industry standards, positioning them for continued success in this dynamic profession.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 Great Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Great Falls 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