Air Traffic Controller Salary in Huntington, WV: $121,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Huntington, WV earns a median $121,169/year (≈ $58.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Huntington's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $140,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington, West Virginia, the compensation for air traffic controllers reflects the economic realities of chronic understaffing within the industry. With a median annual salary projected to be $121,169 in 2026, controllers in this region earn significantly less than their peers across the nation, where the median stands at $151,886. The salary range for Huntington's air traffic controllers extends from $70,278 at the lower percentile to $174,830 at the upper tier, highlighting the variance in compensation based on experience, facility type, and overtime availability. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that controllers may often work 50-60 hour weeks, effectively boosting their compensation in a market that is sensitive to the hours put in amid staffing shortages. This dynamic sets the stage for a competitive yet complex job market for air traffic controllers in Huntington.
About the Huntington Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,278 | $33.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,292 | $43.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,169 | $58.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,096 | $74.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,830 | $84.06 |
Median Salary Position
20.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington
In Huntington, WV, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,552 (2026 est.). At $121,169, the local median is 20.22% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Huntington median: $121,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $124,659 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -20.22% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Huntington, WV earn a median of $121,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.22% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the West Virginia state average of $124,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $121,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,080 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,117
2025 BLS Actual
$118,133
2026 Current Est.
$121,169
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,117 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,044 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,504 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,597 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,133 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,283 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $98,117 (2019) to $118,133 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,166 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington 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) | $70,278 – $90,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,292 – $121,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,169 – $155,096 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,096 – $174,830 |
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 Huntington
The local employment landscape features seven air traffic controllers, indicating a niche job market. The cost-of-living index in Huntington is 86.5, which suggests that take-home pay can stretch further than in higher-priced regions. While there are various employment options—including FAA en route centers and terminal control facilities—the most competitive salaries are likely found in FAA en route centers, which cater to higher-altitude traffic. The disparity in pay among controllers largely depends on facility categories and certifications such as Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status. Strategies for maximizing compensation would entail considering shifts that offer differentials—such as night and holiday shifts—as well as proactively seeking overtime opportunities, given the ongoing demand for air traffic controllers. Understanding these local nuances can greatly influence how much air traffic controllers make in Huntington, WV.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $118,133 for air traffic controllersin the Huntington 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 Huntington 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