Air Traffic Controller Salary in Richmond, IN: $134,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Richmond, IN earns a median $134,947/year (≈ $64.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $147,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Richmond, Indiana, offers an intriguing salary structure for air traffic controllers, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $134,947. This figure represents a notable gap compared to the national median of $151,886, situating Richmond's compensation about 11.15% lower. The salary range for this profession here spans from $78,269 at the 10th percentile to $186,625 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied landscape where experience, facility type, and possible overtime can significantly drive compensation. With air traffic controller positions in Richmond often characterized by 50- to 60-hour workweeks due to chronic staffing shortages, these realities play a critical role in shaping effective compensation for controllers in the area.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,269 | $37.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,704 | $48.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,947 | $64.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,213 | $81.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,625 | $89.73 |
Median Salary Position
11.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, IN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,356 (2026 est.). At $134,947, the local median is 11.15% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Richmond median: $134,947/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,692 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.15% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Richmond, IN earn a median of $134,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.15% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $138,692.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,947 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,806 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,274
2025 BLS Actual
$131,566
2026 Current Est.
$134,947
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,875 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,501 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,059 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,725 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,274 (2019) to $131,566 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,141 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $78,269 – $100,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,704 – $134,947 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,947 – $169,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,213 – $186,625 |
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 Richmond
Within Richmond’s local job market, only seven air traffic controllers are currently employed, reflecting a limited but stable demand for professionals in this field. The relatively low cost-of-living index of 91.3 means that controllers enjoy a greater degree of purchasing power than their counterparts in higher-cost areas. Among the employers in this space, the most competitive salaries typically arise from FAA en route centers, which handle high-altitude traffic. The disparity in pay within the Richmond market can often be attributed to facility classification and certification status, with controllers at Level 12 en route facilities generally commanding higher wages than those in terminal or tower positions. Additional factors such as shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and designation as a traffic management coordinator can further enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Richmond, pursuing certification as a fully certified professional controller (CPC) is essential, as well as seeking opportunities at higher-tier facilities where overtime is abundant.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $131,566 for air traffic controllersin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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