Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Saginaw, MI: $67.07 (2026)

The earning potential for air traffic controllers working part-time in Saginaw can vary widely. A controller working 24 hours a week may see take-home earnings that differ significantly from full-time colleagues, primarily because of opportunities for overtime. Many controllers are often required to work extra hours, sometimes reaching 50-60 hours per week. This can result in annual compensation that can dramatically surpass base figures, with numerous controllers raking in $50,000-$100,000 in overtime alone. Moreover, per diem roles present another layer of compensation variability, where hourly rates can rise even further depending on negotiation during facility transfer training. The hourly rates can also differ based on the type of employer; FAA en route centers typically offer more promising pay compared to smaller contract towers. Controllers often weigh the benefits of steady employment with health insurance against potentially higher pay rates without benefits, impacting their decisions. In the current environment, where chronic staffing shortages exist, effective negotiation on hourly compensation is vital, especially in facilities where demand is high, and resources are stretched thin.