Air Traffic Controller Salary in Ypsilanti, MI: $131,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Ypsilanti, MI earns a median $131,665/year (≈ $63.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Ypsilanti's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $141,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For air traffic controllers in Ypsilanti, MI, the 2026 median annual compensation is projected to be $131,665, which reflects the effective earnings that can be accrued through extensive overtime hours, particularly in understaffed facilities. With a salary range stretching from $77,934 at the 10th percentile to $185,425 at the 90th percentile, controllers in this city experience a broad spectrum of pay. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments provide valuable insights into how Ypsilanti’s air traffic controller salary compares to the national median of $151,886, highlighting a competitive yet challenging environment. Given the chronic understaffing that has characterized the field since the 2013 sequester, Ypsilanti’s job market offers controllers opportunities to augment their earnings significantly through hefty overtime.
About the Ypsilanti Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,934 | $37.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,569 | $46.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,665 | $63.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,075 | $80.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,425 | $89.14 |
Median Salary Position
13.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ypsilanti
In Ypsilanti, MI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,491 (2026 est.). At $131,665, the local median is 13.31% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ypsilanti: You'd be above the median
How Ypsilanti Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Ypsilanti median: $131,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ypsilanti Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $141,575 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.31% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Ypsilanti, MI earn a median of $131,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.31% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.00% below the Michigan state average of $141,575.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ypsilanti 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.
Ypsilanti, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,271 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,616
2025 BLS Actual
$128,366
2026 Current Est.
$131,665
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Ypsilanti (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,057 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,643 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,049 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ypsilanti metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,616 (2019) to $128,366 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,433 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ypsilanti 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) | $77,934 – $97,569 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,569 – $131,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,665 – $168,075 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,075 – $185,425 |
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 Ypsilanti
When evaluating the local job market, Ypsilanti currently employs only four air traffic controllers, which emphasizes the tight competition for positions and likely contributes to the modest pay scale compared to major FAA en route facilities. The cost of living index stands at 93.2, suggesting that take-home salaries may stretch further than in more expensive regions, yet it still limits overall earning potential compared to the national average. Among local employers, those in FAA terminal radar approach controls generally offer the most attractive salaries, though controllers can optimize earnings through strategic choices such as seeking positions in higher-tier facilities or obtaining CPC certification to bypass developmental pay. Shift differentials for night and holiday work, alongside mandatory overtime, can further boost overall income levels, helping to shape a more favorable air traffic controller pay scenario in Ypsilanti, MI.
More salary data for Ypsilanti, 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 $128,366 for air traffic controllersin the Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti 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