Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hobart, IN: $133,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hobart, IN earns a median $133,172/year (≈ $64.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hobart's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $145,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Hobart, IN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,172, significantly lower than the national median of $151,886, indicating a 12.32% gap. Salaries for these professionals in the area range from $77,239 at the 10th percentile to $188,965 at the 90th percentile. These figures are reflective of local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities. One notable factor affecting compensation in Hobart is the volume of overtime, driven by the staffing challenges commonly seen in this field, where controllers often log 50 to 60 hour weeks. This overtime contributes substantially to their overall compensation, making the job market for air traffic controllers here competitive, albeit constrained compared to larger metropolitan regions.
About the Hobart Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,239 | $37.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,883 | $46.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,172 | $64.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,908 | $81.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,965 | $90.85 |
Median Salary Position
12.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hobart
In Hobart, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,726 (2026 est.). At $133,172, the local median is 12.32% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hobart: You'd be above the median
How Hobart Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hobart median: $133,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hobart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,721 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.32% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hobart, IN earn a median of $133,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.32% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.00% below the Indiana state average of $138,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hobart has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hobart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $133,172 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,836
2025 BLS Actual
$129,835
2026 Current Est.
$133,172
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hobart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,836 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,351 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,229 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hobart metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,836 (2019) to $129,835 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,758 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hobart 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,239 – $95,883 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,883 – $133,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,172 – $169,908 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,908 – $188,965 |
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 Hobart
Analyzing the local job market, only seven air traffic controllers are currently employed in Hobart, highlighting the unique dynamics at play in this smaller market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, the take-home pay may stretch further than in regions with higher living costs, yet the foundational salary still presents challenges. Among the various employers, positions at FAA en route centers typically offer higher pay compared to those at terminal approach controls or airport traffic control towers. Pay discrepancies stem from facility levels, CPC certification status, and significant opportunities for overtime, with some shifts mandating higher premiums. Controllers can maximize their pay by seeking positions at en route facilities or leveraging overtime, as these factors will help bridge the gap between local and national averages. Remember, investing in further training and certifications can also enhance pay prospects as market demand grows.
More salary data for Hobart, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $129,835 for air traffic controllersin the Hobart 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 Hobart 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