Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $72.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Rochester, MN runs $72.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $150,601 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,360 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester, MN, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $72.40, slightly below the national median of $73.02. This pay structure reflects the specific demands of their work environment, which includes en route centers and busy control towers. For those in part-time positions working three days a week, this translates to considerable earning potential even in a limited schedule, with effective compensation determined by the hours worked within those environments. Entry-level controllers might start at approximately $41.99 hourly, while top earners can see pay as high as $109.01. It’s essential to recognize that these hourly estimates are based on projected annual salary figures derived from BLS data, providing a clear picture of the earnings potential within this critical aviation role.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.99 | $335.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.14 | $417.09 |
| Median (P50) | $72.40 | $579.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.68 | $741.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.01 | $872.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $72.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.40/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $150,601 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $86,885. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,896.17 | $12,550 | $150,601 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,737.70 | $7,530 | $90,360 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,158.47 | $5,020 | $60,240 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Rochester) | $72.40 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $150,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% above the Minnesota state average of $149,555.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.40/hr = $90,360/year (purchasing power: $91,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $150,601/year (purchasing power: $152,894).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Rochester grew 20.4% from $58.63/hr (2019) to $70.59/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.26/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Assessing the financial realities for an air traffic controller working part-time reveals interesting contrasts with full-time positions. For instance, a controller on a three-day workweek (24 hours) could realistically bring home around $56,580 annually, a substantial amount, yet still below what a full-time controller may earn with overtime. The per-diem air traffic controller pay in Rochester can also be quite lucrative, especially since many positions drive overtime rates beyond the standard base pay. Many professionals in this field routinely exceed the typical 40-hour workweek, often racking up $50,000 to $100,000 in annual overtime due to chronic understaffing, particularly in federal facilities. Moreover, varying employer types—FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and contractor-operated towers—further impact hourly rates. Controllers in Rochester might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for comprehensive health benefits with certain employers. Negotiating these terms could be crucial for workers seeking to balance effective pay with suitable employment terms in a rapidly evolving industry marked by organizational changes and regulations.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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