Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Chillicothe, OH: $62.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Chillicothe, OH runs $62.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,708 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Chillicothe's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,828 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chillicothe, Ohio, air traffic controllers command a median hourly pay of $62.36, which sits below the national hourly median of $73.02. This difference reflects local variations in compensation, potentially influenced by the area's cost of living and demand for air traffic services. For controllers working part-time, such as those taking shifts three days a week, this rate translates to a roughly $4,152 monthly income before taxes if they maintain a standard 24-hour workweek. With entry-level positions starting at about $36.17 per hour and seasoned professionals earning up to $87.11, controllers can find themselves in diverse environments, ranging from the control towers at local airports to busy en route centers that cover vast airspace. Hourly pay rates, derived from annual data, highlight the financial realities of this profession, especially for those in high-demand sectors like FAA en route and terminal facilities.
About the Chillicothe Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.17 | $289.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.15 | $377.21 |
| Median (P50) | $62.36 | $498.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.16 | $633.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.11 | $696.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chillicothe
Based on $62.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.36/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chillicothe, OH can expect to earn approximately $129,714 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,835. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chillicothe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chillicothe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,494.50 | $10,810 | $129,714 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,496.70 | $6,486 | $77,828 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $997.80 | $4,324 | $51,886 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Chillicothe) | $62.36 |
| 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 Chillicothe, OH earn a median of $129,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.60% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.80% below the Ohio state average of $137,694.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.36/hr = $77,828/year (purchasing power: $85,809).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,714/year (purchasing power: $143,014).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chillicothe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Chillicothe grew 20.4% from $50.50/hr (2019) to $60.80/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.97/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 Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe
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Taking a closer look at the financial dynamics, part-time air traffic controllers working 24 hours weekly can expect a yearly income of approximately $49,824, which is significantly less than what full-time colleagues earn, often eclipsing the $100,000 mark when overtime is considered. Many controllers engage in per diem or adjunct roles that allow flexibility but come with unique earning structures. Overtime pay, typically calculated at 1.5 times the base rate, becomes crucial as chronic understaffing leads many controllers to work upwards of 50 to 60 hours weekly. Different types of employers influence pay structures as well; FAA facilities often offer more comprehensive benefits but may involve lower hourly rates compared to private contract towers. The decision to prioritize pay versus benefits reflects individual circumstances, including health insurance needs versus take-home income. For those negotiating their air traffic controller hourly pay in Chillicothe, understanding these dynamics is essential to making informed career decisions, especially in a market driven by federal employment standards with retirement considerations at age 56.
More salary data for Chillicothe, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Chillicothe in 2026?
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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 Chillicothe. 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 Chillicothe 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