Air Traffic Controller Salary in North Platte, NE: $124,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in North Platte, NE earns a median $124,946/year (≈ $60.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in North Platte's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $136,553 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for air traffic controllers in North Platte, Nebraska, stands at a median annual salary of $124,946, which is significantly below the national median of $151,886. The local salary range extends from $73,361 at the 10th percentile to $171,621 at the 90th percentile. These figures, reflecting estimates based on 2025 BLS data, suggest a job market where controllers often work 50 to 60 hours a week, driven by the chronic understaffing that has characterized the industry. With just four air traffic controllers employed in the North Platte area, the dynamics of the local labor market contribute to the effective compensation structure, reinforcing the importance of understanding the nuances of pay in this specific geographical context.
About the North Platte Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,361 | $35.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,552 | $44.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,946 | $60.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,812 | $75.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,621 | $82.51 |
Median Salary Position
17.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Platte
In North Platte, NE, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,260 (2026 est.). At $124,946, the local median is 17.74% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Platte: You'd be above the median
How North Platte Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
North Platte median: $124,946/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Platte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $134,350 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -17.74% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in North Platte, NE earn a median of $124,946 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.74% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $134,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Platte has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Platte, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $124,946 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,553 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,175
2025 BLS Actual
$121,815
2026 Current Est.
$124,946
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in North Platte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,175 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,793 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,013 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,815 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Platte metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $101,175 (2019) to $121,815 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,982 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Platte 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) | $73,361 – $92,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,552 – $124,946 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,946 – $156,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,812 – $171,621 |
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 North Platte
The cost of living index in North Platte, at 91.5, indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, controllers here find their take-home purchasing power relatively stable. Key employers of air traffic controllers in the area include FAA terminal towers and potential roles in military air traffic control. The disparity in salaries is influenced by factors such as the facility's level, with en route centers typically offering higher compensation compared to terminal and tower facilities, as well as CPC certification status and overtime opportunities. Controllers can maximize their earnings by seeking roles at higher-tier facilities, obtaining additional certifications, and capitalizing on shift differentials and mandatory overtime. In a market like North Platte, understanding these elements can lead to more strategic career decisions that enhance overall compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for North Platte, NE:
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 $121,815 for air traffic controllersin the North Platte 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 North Platte 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