BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky

$121,910 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$58.61 per hour

▼ 16.8% below U.S. average29th of 43 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$121,910per year
Median$127,800per year
Hourly$58.61per hour
10th – 90th percentile$66,150 – $168,650per year

Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$66,150
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$97,840
  • 50th Percentile — Median$127,800
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$151,240
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$168,650

Half of Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky earn more than $127,800. The top 10% make $168,650 or more, while entry-level workers start around $66,150.

Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 29th of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $121,910 per year (16.8% below the U.S. average of $146,490).
  • 230 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky — 1.0% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.79: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $66,150; the top 10% earn over $168,650.
  • Hourly equivalent: $58.61 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
  • Among transportation jobs in Kentucky, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($302,340).

Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $121,910 on average, placing the state 29th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $121,910 is roughly equivalent to $146,880 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($132,750), Alaska ($130,420), Missouri ($125,950) are the closest alternatives for Air Traffic Controllers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Kentucky?

The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Kentucky is $121,910 per year (median $127,800), which is 16.8% below the national average of $146,490.

How does Kentucky rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?

Kentucky ranks 29th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).

How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in Kentucky earn about $66,150 per year and the 25th percentile is $97,840.

How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Kentucky?

About $58.61 per hour, based on the $121,910 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Air Traffic Controllers work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 230 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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