Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $64.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Bismarck, ND runs $64.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,959 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,376 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $64.40, which trails the national hourly median of $73.02 by about 11.80%. For those considering part-time work, the compensation reflects an income that can support a reasonable living while working three days a week, typically encompassing shifts at facilities like en route centers or airport control towers. Entry-level positions in this field can expect to start at around $37.36 per hour, with top earners reaching $90.64. The hourly figures are derived from the annual salaries typically associated with this demanding role, requiring controllers to maintain high levels of focus in environment-intensive settings such as radar facilities and control rooms.
About the Bismarck Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.36 | $298.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.75 | $374.01 |
| Median (P50) | $64.40 | $515.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.43 | $651.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.64 | $725.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $64.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.40/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $133,960 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,284. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,576.15 | $11,163 | $133,960 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,545.69 | $6,698 | $80,376 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,030.46 | $4,465 | $53,584 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Bismarck) | $64.40 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $133,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.80% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% below the North Dakota state average of $135,862.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.40/hr = $80,376/year (purchasing power: $87,365).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,960/year (purchasing power: $145,608).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Bismarck grew 20.4% from $52.15/hr (2019) to $62.79/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.06/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
Evaluating the income potential for a part-time air traffic controller in Bismarck reveals considerable variation based on scheduling and employer type. A part-time controller working 24 hours per week would earn approximately $81,798 annually before taxes, which is a significant income compared to other local positions. In practice, many controllers at airports find themselves working overtime due to chronic staffing shortages, with the potential to earn significantly more than their base hourly rate, sometimes reaching upwards of $50,000 to $100,000 in extra pay each year. The pay structure varies across different facilities; FAA en route centers and airport traffic control towers often offer different benefits packages that can affect overall compensation. While some controllers might choose to work at FAA contract towers for higher hourly rates, they may sacrifice benefits like health insurance. Pay negotiation plays a critical role in this industry, especially for hourly workers looking to maximize compensation in Bismarck’s unique job market.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 Bismarck. 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 Bismarck 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