Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hastings, MN: $142,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hastings, MN earns a median $142,538/year (≈ $68.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hastings's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $144,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, Minnesota, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary for 2026 is $142,538, positioning this market slightly below the national figure of $151,886. The salary range in Hastings is quite broad, spanning from $82,672 at the 10th percentile to $193,792 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the impact of understaffing in the air traffic control profession. Controllers often find themselves working 50-60 hour weeks, which can significantly enhance their overall compensation through overtime. The local job market's unique dynamics not only influence potential earnings but also present opportunities for career advancement within the FAA framework.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,672 | $39.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,627 | $49.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,538 | $68.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,657 | $85.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,792 | $93.16 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hastings
In Hastings, MN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,120 (2026 est.). At $142,538, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hastings: You'd be above the median
How Hastings Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hastings median: $142,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hastings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $149,568 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.15% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hastings, MN earn a median of $142,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Minnesota state average of $149,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hastings has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hastings, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,538 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,709 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,421
2025 BLS Actual
$138,967
2026 Current Est.
$142,538
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,394 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,111 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,925 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,261 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hastings metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,421 (2019) to $138,967 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,781 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hastings 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) | $82,672 – $102,627 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,627 – $142,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,538 – $177,657 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,657 – $193,792 |
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 Hastings
Despite having only five air traffic controllers employed in the Hastings area, the competition for high salaries remains intense. With a cost of living index of 98.5, the purchasing power in this region is relatively favorable, allowing controllers to stretch their earnings further. Among the local employers, the FAA's terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities typically offer higher pay than airport traffic control towers, driven by the complexity of operations and the staffing levels of each facility. Factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials contribute to the varying pay scales seen among controllers. To maximize earning potential in Hastings, aspiring controllers should aim for positions at higher-tier facilities, stay current with mandatory overtime, and leverage any additional traffic management responsibilities they can take on. This strategy can lead to more robust air traffic controller pay in Hastings, MN, offering financial stability in a sector characterized by ongoing demand and professional dedication.
More salary data for Hastings, MN:
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 $138,967 for air traffic controllersin the Hastings 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 Hastings 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