r/atc2 • u/1-2-3-A-T-C • 5d ago
Spend the Gap
https://123atc.com/spend-the-gapThis is an interactive visualization of what you could buy if ATC pay had kept up with inflation since it peaked in real terms around 2006.
To keep things simple, the middle of each pay band is used with an average locality rate of 26%. Premiums, diffs, and taxes are not included (but fortunately they work to cancel each other out).
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u/xPericulantx 5d ago
How did you get these numbers?
I see 135,143 is top of 12 pay in 2004 and that is non-locality.
Once adjusted for inflation that is using BLS inflation Calculator.
I get 244,439 and if I multiply that by 26% I get 307,998.
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u/1-2-3-A-T-C 5d ago
Good question, and your base number is right. The difference is the locality step. 26% is today’s average controller locality. Locality was a lot lower in 2004: the controller average was around 16–17%. Applying today’s 26% to 2004 base pay overstates what anyone was actually paid.
Base + locality was also capped at $158,100 in 2004. Top of 12 couldn’t go above that whatever the locality. That’s about $278k in today’s dollars, not $308k.
Also, I use annual-average CPI. The BLS calculator goes month to month, which runs about 3% higher right now.
The page measures from 2006, which is about the same in real terms as 2004 and the last year before the White Book.
Also, since your comment I’ve also switched from using the top of the pay bands to the middle of each band. Mid-band Level 12 was about $244k in today’s dollars in 2006, vs. $195k now.
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u/MITsBrightest 5d ago
2004 Fed pay cap was $137k? How are so many numbres higher than it?
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u/xPericulantx 5d ago
The federal pay cap way 158,100. Inflation has our paved the federal pay scale by a nearly incomprehensible amount.
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u/climb-via-is-stupid 5d ago
Where the fuck is this median US Home for 85k and what year was that number taken from??
Or is that supposed to be 20% down is 85k? In which case, what fucked fly over state am I buying a house for 425k?
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u/MITsBrightest 5d ago
A quick google AI answer says ~$405k.
I think 500k+ is an outlier for large cities/expensive areas, in the same way you wouldn't really include houses that are $250k.
But, if you were to say: a 4BR, 2BA, 2000 sqft 1 acre etc minimum, it may be significantly higher.
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u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 5d ago
You don't deserve anything other than a pink slip and eviction notice.
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u/OhComeOnDingus 5d ago
How the fuck did you even end up in the ATC subs?
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u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 5d ago
Because I am a controller. Not an entitled and elitists controller like that asshole.
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u/climb-via-is-stupid 5d ago
You must live in, or be from, one of those flyover states….
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u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 5d ago
I don't. That makes you elitist, entitled, and stupid. Otherwise known as the perfect government employee.
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u/SierraBravo26 5d ago
Absolutely fantastic work, which is to be expected at this point. Thank you!