Air Traffic Controller.
Cheyenne.
$107,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$77,000 to $144,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Air Traffic Controller in Cheyenne earns a median of $107,000 in 2026. That is 16% below the national average. The range runs from $77,000 to $144,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $96,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$70,000
to $86,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$91,000
to $112,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$118,000
to $139,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$134,000
to $166,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $22,000 to the total package.
Base
$107,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $129,000
How Cheyenne compares
Cheyenne, WY
$107,000
Cost of living: 13% below average
National Average
$128,000
Cheyenne is $21,000 below
Air Traffic Controller salary by city
Salary by role in Cheyenne
What you should know
The Air Traffic Controller landscape in Cheyenne is not what most salary sites will tell you. Cheyenne is Wyoming's capital, with an economy driven by government, military operations at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and a growing data center industry attracted by Wyoming's no income tax and low energy costs. The city is small but offers affordable living and emerging tech infrastructure opportunities. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers. Geographic locality pay adjustments and overtime availability also create meaningful variance across positions.
Trainees at the FAA Academy earn $40,000 to $55,000. Certified professional controllers at lower-level facilities make $92,000 to $110,000. Moving to a high-level facility pushes pay to $140,000 to $172,000, with supervisory roles reaching $180,000 or more. In Cheyenne, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 13% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Federal controllers receive FERS retirement, Thrift Savings Plan matching up to 5%, and locality-adjusted pay. Premium pay for night shifts, holidays, and overtime can add 10 to 25% above base salary. And on the tax side: wyoming has no state income tax. Cheyenne has no city income tax. The zero income tax environment combined with very low living costs creates exceptional take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $107,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate data center or federal contractor rates. Cheyenne employers in these sectors benchmark against national pay scales and offer competitive packages to attract talent. The range for Air Traffic Controllers in Cheyenne runs from $77,000 to $144,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
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