Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shawnee, OK: $131,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shawnee, OK earns a median $131,222/year (≈ $63.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shawnee's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $147,606 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Shawnee, OK, can expect a median annual salary of $131,222 in 2026, which reflects a competitive landscape compared to national figures—this represents a discrepancy of approximately 13.60% below the national median of $151,886. The salary range for this role varies widely, from $76,109 at the lower end (P10) to $188,886 at the upper end (P90), indicating that there are significant income opportunities for highly experienced controllers. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, a crucial aspect to consider given Shawnee’s cost-of-living index of 88.9, which is notably lower than the national average. With a relatively small number of air traffic controllers employed locally—only seven—it's evident that the job market is selective but holds potential for those advancing through the certification timeline.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,109 | $36.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,707 | $46.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,222 | $63.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,529 | $79.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,886 | $90.82 |
Median Salary Position
13.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shawnee
In Shawnee, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,777 (2026 est.). At $131,222, the local median is 13.6% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shawnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shawnee Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shawnee median: $131,222/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shawnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,002 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.60% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shawnee, OK earn a median of $131,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.60% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,002.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shawnee has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shawnee, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,222 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,606 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,257
2025 BLS Actual
$127,934
2026 Current Est.
$131,222
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shawnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,257 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,677 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,098 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,258 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shawnee metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,257 (2019) to $127,934 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,337 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee 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) | $76,109 – $97,707 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,707 – $131,222 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,222 – $164,529 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,529 – $188,886 |
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 Shawnee
In Shawnee, the job market for air traffic controllers reflects unique economic conditions driven by the local cost of living and the specific types of facilities present in the region. Employed in smaller facilities often part of the FAA system, controllers can benefit from shift differentials and abundant overtime, particularly given the industry’s ongoing staffing challenges since the 2013 sequester which has led to a reliance on mandatory overtime. The various tiers of facilities, such as en route centers and terminal control, create a direct correlation between compensation levels and the complexity of airspace managed, yet entrance points through CTI or military pathways can influence earning potential significantly. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Shawnee, focusing on obtaining CPC certification swiftly, and capitalizing on opportunities for overtime and shift differentials, can substantially enhance take-home pay, turning a modest local salary into an advantageous one when factoring in the relaxed cost of living.
More salary data for Shawnee, OK:
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 $127,934 for air traffic controllersin the Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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