Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Portage, MI: $64.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Portage, MI runs $64.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,878 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,325 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portage, MI, the air traffic controller hourly pay stands at $64.36, a figure that lags behind the national median of $73.02. This disparity suggests potential challenges for controllers considering part-time positions or per-diem opportunities. Working three days a week, a controller could earn roughly $62,000 annually based on that hourly rate, which might not support the cost of living given the area's index at 93.2. The hourly compensation for air traffic controllers ranges from $37.34 at entry-level positions to upwards of $91.57 for top earners in the field. These figures are derived from projected annual salary data, and they reflect the types of settings where controllers typically work, including the en route center radar consoles and TRACON facilities integral to managing complex air traffic operations.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.34 | $298.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.34 | $370.73 |
| Median (P50) | $64.36 | $514.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.38 | $659.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.57 | $732.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $64.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.36/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, MI can expect to earn approximately $133,874 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,235. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,574.51 | $11,156 | $133,874 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,544.70 | $6,694 | $80,325 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,029.80 | $4,462 | $53,550 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Portage) | $64.36 |
| 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 Portage, MI earn a median of $133,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.86% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $141,521.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.36/hr = $80,325/year (purchasing power: $86,185).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,874/year (purchasing power: $143,642).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Portage grew 20.4% from $52.12/hr (2019) to $62.75/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.02/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 Portage 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 Portage
While part-time air traffic controllers in Portage may work significantly fewer hours, the earnings potential can vary widely based on shifts and overtime opportunities. Controllers working full-time often clock 50-60 hours a week, leading to considerable overtime pay that can substantially boost their effective hourly compensation. This structure means some may earn an extra $50,000 to $100,000 on top of their base pay due to the chronic understaffing that has characterized the industry post-2013. Moreover, the type of facility also heavily influences hourly wages; FAA en route centers, such as ARTCCs or TRACONs, may provide different financial incentives compared to civilian or contract towers. Health insurance benefits offered by some employers might sway controllers to accept lower hourly rates, balancing more immediate financial gains against long-term stability. For those negotiating their hourly pay, emphasizing specialized experience or readiness to work varied shifts can be advantageous in Portage’s competitive market.
More salary data for Portage, MI:
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
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 Portage. 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 Portage 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