Air Traffic Controller Salary in Beloit, WI: $136,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Beloit, WI earns a median $136,616/year (≈ $65.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Beloit's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $146,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Beloit, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $136,616. This figure reflects an upward trend, especially when weighed against the salary range from $79,237 at the lower 10th percentile to $188,339 at the 90th percentile. The local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, are indicative of the compensation landscape in this area. Although salaries here are approximately 10.05% lower than the national median of $151,886, the relatively low cost of living in Beloit, with a cost index at 93.4, suggests that controllers can still find a favorable economic environment. With the timeline for CPC certification ranging from one to three years, air traffic controllers entering the field can anticipate developmental pay within this range, influencing the salary expectations during their initial years.
About the Beloit Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,237 | $38.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,789 | $48.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,616 | $65.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,254 | $82.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,339 | $90.55 |
Median Salary Position
10.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Beloit
In Beloit, WI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,102 (2026 est.). At $136,616, the local median is 10.05% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Beloit: You'd be above the median
How Beloit Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Beloit median: $136,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Beloit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $140,552 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.05% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Beloit, WI earn a median of $136,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.05% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $140,552.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Beloit has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Beloit, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,270 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,625
2025 BLS Actual
$133,193
2026 Current Est.
$136,616
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Beloit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,625 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,706 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,569 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,193 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Beloit metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,625 (2019) to $133,193 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,502 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Beloit 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) | $79,237 – $101,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,789 – $136,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,616 – $171,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,254 – $188,339 |
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 Beloit
The air traffic controller job market in Beloit is relatively limited, with just five controllers currently employed in the area. However, this localized opportunity comes with the potential for significant economic advantages, given the cost of living at 93.4, which is below the national average. Controllers who wish to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Beloit, WI, should consider seeking employment with FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) or airport traffic control towers. Pay scales vary based on facility type, with en route facilities typically offering the highest salaries, followed by TRACONs and then tower operations. To increase earnings further, controllers can pursue CPC status, which significantly boosts income, engage in overtime opportunities – a common occurrence due to chronic staffing shortages – and take advantage of shift differentials, which can enhance overall earnings potential in this competitive field.
More salary data for Beloit, WI:
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 $133,193 for air traffic controllersin the Beloit 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 Beloit 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