Air Traffic Controller Salary in Canton, MI: $138,399 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Canton, MI earns a median $138,399/year (≈ $66.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Canton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $148,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Canton, Michigan, air traffic controllers earn a competitive median annual salary of $138,399 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary spectrum ranges from $80,271 at the 10th percentile to $206,817 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in pay attributed to factors such as facility type, workload, and individual certification levels. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. Notably, the demanding schedules common in understaffed facilities lead to higher compensation when controllers work longer hours—often 50 to 60 hours a week—further enhancing their earnings potential in the region’s unique job market.
About the Canton Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,271 | $38.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,647 | $47.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,399 | $66.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,151 | $85.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,817 | $99.43 |
Median Salary Position
8.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,546 (2026 est.). At $138,399, the local median is 8.88% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Canton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Canton median: $138,399/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,512 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.88% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Canton, MI earn a median of $138,399 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.88% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.20% below the Michigan state average of $141,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Canton, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $138,399 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,497 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,069
2025 BLS Actual
$134,931
2026 Current Est.
$138,399
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,839 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,507 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,279 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,931 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,399 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $112,069 (2019) to $134,931 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,887 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $80,271 – $99,647 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,647 – $138,399 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,399 – $177,151 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,151 – $206,817 |
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 Canton
Air traffic controller employment in Canton is at a modest level, with only 25 professionals currently in the field, indicating a niche job market within the broader metropolitan area. The cost of living in Canton, which sits at a relatively low index of 93.2, offers controllers advantageous purchasing power for their salaries. Employers in the area, such as FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, can provide higher pay than smaller facilities, owing to the complexity and safety responsibilities involved. Controllers seeking to maximize their income should aim for positions at high-tier facilities and pursue certifications, as pay scales can vary significantly based on local facility ratings, shift differentials, and extensive overtime opportunities. With ongoing staffing challenges globally, Canton controllers have favorable prospects to boost their salaries significantly.
More salary data for Canton, MI:
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 $134,931 for air traffic controllersin the Canton 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 Canton 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