Air Traffic Controller Salary

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brighton, CO: $155,454 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Brighton, CO earns a median $155,454/year (≈ $74.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $148,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.

$155,454
Median Annual Salary
$74.73/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$90,163
Entry Level (P10)
$223,863
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brighton, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Brighton, CO air traffic controller salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the median air traffic controller salary in Brighton, CO, is projected to be $155,454, slightly above the national figure of $151,886. This role typically offers a salary range from $90,163 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $223,863 (P90) for more experienced controllers. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic conditions, highlighting Brighton’s competitive edge within the broader job market. Controllers who pursue their CPC certification can expect a trajectory toward higher earnings within a 1 to 3 year timeframe, particularly as they navigate the complexities of developmental pay structures. Given the area's job market, prospective air traffic controllers may find Brighton an appealing destination for their careers.

About the Brighton Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$90,163$43.35
Lower Range (P25)$112,113$53.90
Median (P50)(typical)$155,454$74.73
Upper Range (P75)$198,982$95.67
Top Earners (P90)$223,863$107.63

Median Salary Position

$90,163$223,863
City Median: $155,454
National: $151,886
P10–P90 Range

2.35% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for air traffic controllers in Brighton. The median salary is $155,454, compared to the national median of $151,886.$81.1K$119.6K$158.1K$196.6K$235.1K$90.2K10th Pctl$112.1K25th Pctl$155.5KMedian$199.0K75th Pctl$223.9K90th PctlUS Median$151.9K

In Brighton, CO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,700 (2026 est.). At $155,454, the local median is 2.35% above the national median of $151,886.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of air traffic controller pay in the Brighton metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,989
per week
$12,954
per month
$155,444
per year

At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Brighton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares

Brighton median: $155,454/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBrighton Pays
Colorado Average$163,121-4.70% less
National Average$151,886+2.35% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing air traffic controller median salary in Brighton ($155,454) with Colorado average ($163,121) and the US national median ($151,886).Brighton$155,454Colorado Avg$163,121-4.70%US National$151,886+2.35%

Air Traffic Controllers in Brighton, CO earn a median of $155,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.35% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $163,121.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$155,454
Nominal Salary
105
CoL Index
$148,051
Adjusted Salary

Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $155,454. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 105, the purchasing-power equivalent is $148,051, a loss of $7,403.$125.8K$139.1K$152.3K$165.5K$178.8K$155,454NominalSalary$148,051CoL Adjusted(CoL: 105) -4.76%US Median $151.9K

Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,454 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,051 — a 4.76% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$125,880

2025 BLS Actual

$151,559

2026 Current Est.

$155,454

2019–2027 Growth

+26.7%

Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brighton (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for air traffic controllers in Brighton. Baseline $125,880 in 2025, projected to $159,449 by 2027.$119.2K$130.9K$142.7K$154.4K$166.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$125.9K$133.5K$132.8K$135.4K$140.6K$148.1K$151.6K$155.5K$159.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$125,880Actual
2020$133,484Actual
2021$132,798Actual
2022$135,357Actual
2023$140,608Actual
2024$148,127Actual
2025$151,559Actual
2026(current)$155,454Estimated
2027$159,449Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $125,880 (2019) to $151,559 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,569 (26.67%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$90,163$112,113
3-5 years (Mid Career)$112,113$155,454
5+ years (Experienced)$155,454$198,982
10+ years (Top Earner)$198,982$223,863

ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Brighton

Brighton’s job market for air traffic controllers presently accommodates around seven professionals, reflecting a stable employment dynamic despite the competition. With a cost-of-living index of 105, the economic environment suggests that while salaries are attractive, purchasing power may be marginally impacted compared to lower-cost areas. The highest paying employers in the region are typically the FAA en route centers, which manage large volumes of high-altitude traffic, offering greater pay scales that often exceed those of terminal facilities and control towers. Factors contributing to the variance in compensation include the level of facility—where en route positions often command higher salaries—and additional elements such as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the potential for abundant overtime, especially given the FAA's ongoing challenges with staffing. Maximizing earnings in Brighton could involve seeking positions at these high-tier facilities and actively pursuing overtime and shift opportunities to enhance overall take-home pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do air traffic controllers make in Brighton, CO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median air traffic controller salary in Brighton is $155,454/year ($74.73/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.57% annual growth). Salaries range from $90,163 at entry level (10th percentile) to $223,863 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Brighton at 2.3% above the national median. Full-time air traffic controllers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Brighton, CO a good place to work as a air traffic controller?

Brighton air traffic controller salaries are 2.3% above the national average and 4.7% below the Colorado state average. The metro area employs approximately 7 air traffic controllers. With a cost-of-living index of 105, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Brighton?

Yes — the median air traffic controller salary in Brighton is already $155,454, meaning more than half of air traffic controllers here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $223,863/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Brighton?

After adjusting for Brighton's cost-of-living index of 105 (where 100 equals the national average), the $155,454 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $148,051 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Brighton reduce the effective value of your salary by 4.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Brighton?

Air Traffic Controllers in Brighton earn a median hourly rate of $74.73, which translates to approximately $155,454/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $43.35 for entry-level positions to $107.63 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem air traffic controllers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Rodriguez, ATOData verified by Omar Patel, ATO

Methodology & Data Source

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $151,559 for air traffic controllersin the Brighton metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Brighton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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