Air Traffic Controller Salary in Syracuse, UT: $144,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Syracuse, UT earns a median $144,790/year (≈ $69.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $147,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for air traffic controllers in Syracuse, Utah, reveal a median annual compensation of $144,790, slightly below the national median of $151,886. This figure reflects the realities of working in an industry often marked by understaffing, which can lead air traffic controllers to work 50 to 60 hours a week. Such extended hours frequently result in effective compensation that can significantly elevate actual earnings, especially in facilities where demand for coverage surpasses available personnel. The projected salary range for the position is quite broad, spanning from $83,978 at the lowest end of the scale to a maximum of $208,394 for the top earners in the field. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost fluctuations, and highlight the competitive nature of the job market in Syracuse.
About the Syracuse Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,978 | $40.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,577 | $50.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,790 | $69.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,331 | $89.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,394 | $100.19 |
Median Salary Position
4.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, UT, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,416 (2026 est.). At $144,790, the local median is 4.67% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Syracuse Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $144,790/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $148,961 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.67% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Syracuse, UT earn a median of $144,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Utah state average of $148,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $144,790 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,244
2025 BLS Actual
$141,162
2026 Current Est.
$144,790
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,327 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,072 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,962 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,244 (2019) to $141,162 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,267 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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) | $83,978 – $104,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,577 – $144,790 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,790 – $185,331 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,331 – $208,394 |
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 Syracuse
With a workforce of only six air traffic controllers, Syracuse's local job market remains narrow, yet the cost of living index stands at a modest 98.1, indicating that take-home purchasing power may stretch further compared to many national benchmarks. Key employers in the region typically include FAA airport traffic control towers and smaller FAA contract towers. Salary variations may arise from several factors, including facility type—where en route centers generally pay higher than terminal facilities or towers—as well as certification status and various pay differentials. To maximize earnings in Syracuse, controllers should consider pursuing CPC certification while actively seeking overtime opportunities, particularly on weekends and holidays, to benefit from the abundant need for staffing in the area.
More salary data for Syracuse, UT:
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 $141,162 for air traffic controllersin the Syracuse 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 Syracuse 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