Air Traffic Controller.
Omaha.
$112,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$80,000 to $150,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Omaha is $112,000, 12% below the national average. Entry level starts near $80,000. Experienced professionals push past $150,000. Omaha punches above its weight with Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, and a strong financial services cluster. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $101,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$95,000
to $118,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$123,000
to $146,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$140,000
to $174,000
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
$112,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $134,000
How Omaha compares
Omaha, NE
$112,000
Cost of living: 12% below average
National Average
$128,000
Omaha is $16,000 below
Air Traffic Controller salary by city
Salary by role in Omaha
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Air Traffic Controller offer in Omaha, understand the terrain. Omaha punches above its weight with Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, and a strong financial services cluster. The city has a growing tech scene and is home to several Fortune 500 companies. Very affordable living costs combined with corporate headquarters salaries create exceptional purchasing power. 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 Omaha, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% 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: nebraska's top income tax rate is 5.84%. Omaha has no city income tax. The moderate rate is offset by some of the most affordable housing costs among major metros. When someone quotes you $112,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Fortune 500 headquarters pay scales. Omaha's corporate density means employers benchmark against national compensation data, not just regional rates. The range for Air Traffic Controllers in Omaha runs from $80,000 to $150,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- A Full Stack Developer in Omaha earns $111,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Omaha is Chief AI Officer at $284,000
Common questions.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other cities
Other salaries in Omaha
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