Air Traffic Controller Salary in Springfield, MO: $140,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Springfield, MO earns a median $140,733/year (≈ $67.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $157,068 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Springfield, Missouri, a career as an air traffic controller can yield a median annual salary of $140,733, reflecting a local compensation landscape shaped by extended hours and chronic understaffing within facilities. This profession often entails working 50-60 hour weeks, resulting in overtime that significantly boosts effective earnings. While salaries range from $81,625 at the low end (P10) to $210,584 at the high end (P90), the estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price variances, suggest that controllers in the area can earn competitive compensation compared to national averages. As air traffic demands continue to grow, proficiency and experience will determine an air traffic controller's earning potential in Springfield.
About the Springfield Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,625 | $39.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,328 | $48.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,733 | $67.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,139 | $86.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,584 | $101.25 |
Median Salary Position
7.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,959 (2026 est.). At $140,733, the local median is 7.34% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Springfield median: $140,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,106 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.34% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Springfield, MO earn a median of $140,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.34% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.40% above the Missouri state average of $136,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $140,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,068 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,959
2025 BLS Actual
$137,207
2026 Current Est.
$140,733
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,844 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,821 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,207 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,350 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,959 (2019) to $137,207 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,350 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,391 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $81,625 – $101,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,328 – $140,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,733 – $180,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,139 – $210,584 |
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 Springfield
The job market for air traffic controllers in Springfield employs approximately 36 professionals, emphasizing both stability and opportunity within the region. With a cost-of-living index at 89.6, living in Springfield offers controllers enhanced purchasing power compared to many other urban areas, allowing them to make the most of their salaries. Among employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay, followed closely by FAA terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. Variations in earnings stem from several factors, such as facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials—night shifts often earning higher compensation, coupled with abundant overtime due to staffing shortages. Strategically, controllers can maximize their pay by seeking opportunities that capitalize on these higher-paying facilities, considering overtime hours, and obtaining advanced certifications to enhance their career trajectory in Springfield MO.
More salary data for Springfield, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Springfield?
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Related Pages
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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 $137,207 for air traffic controllersin the Springfield 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 Springfield 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