Air Traffic Controller Salary in State College, PA: $141,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in State College, PA earns a median $141,071/year (≈ $67.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $144,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in State College is projected to reach a median annual figure of $141,071, which is about 7.12% lower than the national average of $151,886. This local salary range spans from $81,821 at the 10th percentile to $203,260 at the 90th percentile, providing a fair amount of variability depending on experience and certification. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional economic factors. Many air traffic controllers in State College may find themselves working 50-60 hour weeks, especially in light of staffing shortages that continue to affect the FAA, which further enhances their overall compensation through overtime pay.
About the State College Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,821 | $39.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,809 | $48.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,071 | $67.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,570 | $86.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,260 | $97.72 |
Median Salary Position
7.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,439 (2026 est.). At $141,071, the local median is 7.12% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
State College median: $141,071/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $147,873 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.12% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in State College, PA earn a median of $141,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.12% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $147,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,071 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,837 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$114,233
2025 BLS Actual
$137,536
2026 Current Est.
$141,071
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,133 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,511 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,174 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,233 (2019) to $137,536 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,463 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $81,821 – $101,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,809 – $141,071 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,071 – $180,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,570 – $203,260 |
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 State College
Currently, there are nine air traffic controllers employed in State College, PA, which indicates a relatively small local workforce amidst a national need for more personnel. The cost of living in the area, reflected by a cost of living index of 97.4, suggests that controllers' salaries can buy more here compared to higher-cost urban centers. Within this market, FAA facilities tend to compensate controllers differently; en route centers generally offer the highest pay levels, followed by terminal control and airport towers. Additionally, operational factors such as CPC certification and night or weekend shifts can significantly impact earnings. To maximize their pay, controllers should consider pursuing CPC status and seeking opportunities for overtime, as these avenues can substantially elevate overall income while meeting the demands of a chronically understaffed industry.
More salary data for State College, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in State College, PA in 2026?
Is State College, PA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in State College?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in State College?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in State College?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $137,536 for air traffic controllersin the State College 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 State College 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