Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tumwater, WA: $159,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tumwater, WA earns a median $159,681/year (≈ $76.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tumwater's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $148,679 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in Tumwater, WA, projects to a median annual income of $159,681 in 2026, positioning it slightly above the national median of $151,886. During this same period, skilled professionals can expect a pay range that spans from $92,615 at the 10th percentile to approximately $232,503 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional cost variations which reflect the area's living expenses. With a small local workforce of six air traffic controllers, opportunities for career advancement and salary increases are strongly tied to facility tiers, where en route Level 12 positions command the highest compensation compared to terminal and tower roles prevalent in the area.
About the Tumwater Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,615 | $44.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,765 | $56.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,681 | $76.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $197,903 | $95.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,503 | $111.78 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater
In Tumwater, WA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,888 (2026 est.). At $159,681, the local median is 5.13% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tumwater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tumwater Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tumwater median: $159,681/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tumwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $163,106 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +5.13% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tumwater, WA earn a median of $159,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.10% below the Washington state average of $163,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tumwater has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tumwater, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,681 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,679 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,302
2025 BLS Actual
$155,680
2026 Current Est.
$159,681
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tumwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,302 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,114 | Actual |
| 2021 | $136,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,038 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,109 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tumwater metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $129,302 (2019) to $155,680 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,483 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater 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) | $92,615 – $116,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,765 – $159,681 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,681 – $197,903 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $197,903 – $232,503 |
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 Tumwater
For those considering a position as an air traffic controller, it's essential to understand the implications of the local cost of living index of 107.4, which slightly exceeds the national average. This can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for controllers in Tumwater. Among local employers, FAA en route centers typically offer higher salaries than FAA terminal and tower facilities, driven by the level of responsibility and the complexity of managing air traffic. To maximize earning potential, controllers can seek to enhance their certification status, moving from developmental pay to certified professional controller (CPC) rates, which significantly increases base salary. Additionally, taking advantage of shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and working in high-traffic environments can further boost overall earnings. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone aiming to achieve the best air traffic controller pay in Tumwater, WA.
More salary data for Tumwater, WA:
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 $155,680 for air traffic controllersin the Tumwater 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 Tumwater 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