Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Elizabethtown, KY: $60.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Elizabethtown, KY runs $60.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Elizabethtown's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,780 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air Traffic Controllers in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, earn a median hourly wage of $60.72, which is considerably less than the national median of $73.02. For those engaged in part-time work or per-diem positions, this equates to significant earning potential, especially in a profession that often requires intense focus in various environments such as en route centers, terminal radar facilities, and airport control towers. With the hourly pay range for controllers in Elizabethtown spanning from $35.22 at the lower end to $88.07 for top earners, it reflects a typical career trajectory where experience can translate into higher earnings. Entry-level controllers often start at the lower end of the pay spectrum, but those who advance into more complex roles can experience substantial financial rewards, particularly in regions with high traffic demands.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.22 | $281.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.72 | $349.72 |
| Median (P50) | $60.72 | $485.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.18 | $601.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.07 | $704.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabethtown
Based on $60.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.72/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabethtown, KY can expect to earn approximately $126,301 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,866. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elizabethtown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabethtown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,428.86 | $10,525 | $126,301 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,457.31 | $6,315 | $75,780 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $971.54 | $4,210 | $50,520 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Elizabethtown) | $60.72 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $126,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.85% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $129,272.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.72/hr = $75,780/year (purchasing power: $84,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,301/year (purchasing power: $141,434).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Elizabethtown grew 20.4% from $49.17/hr (2019) to $59.20/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Elizabethtown
For a part-time air traffic controller working three days a week, the annual earnings of approximately $47,257 contrast sharply with what full-time counterparts achieve. Controllers looking to boost their income often tap into per-diem opportunities, and overtime pay can significantly elevate earnings beyond initial hourly rates. Some controllers find themselves consistently working 50-60 hours each week, potentially racking up an additional $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime. Elizabethtown's local controllers may differ in pay depending on whether they work for FAA en route centers, TRACONs, or smaller contract towers. While FAA facilities typically offer robust benefits at a lower hourly rate, others may provide higher hourly pay at the expense of comprehensive health insurance packages. This makes careful negotiation crucial, especially in a competitive employment environment shaped by chronic understaffing and the impending mandatory retirement age of 56 for many controllers.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Elizabethtown?
Are air traffic controllers in Elizabethtown paid hourly or salary?
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Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Elizabethtown?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Elizabethtown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elizabethtown 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