Air Traffic Controller Salary

Altamonte Springs vs Miami: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between Altamonte Springs, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Altamonte Springs, FL
$150,578
$72.39/hr
Miami, FL
$166,307
$79.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAltamonte Springs, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$150,578$166,307
Hourly Rate$72.39$79.95
Entry Level (P10)$87,335$92,580
25th Percentile$108,416$120,458
75th Percentile$188,998$194,914
Top Earner (P90)$208,545$210,504
Total Employed9720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Altamonte Springs ($150,578) and Miami ($166,307) air traffic controller salaries.Altamonte SpringsMiamiMedian Salary$150,578$166,307Entry Level (P10)$87,335$92,580Top Earner (P90)$208,545$210,504US Median $151,886

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Altamonte Springs.

The salary gap between Altamonte Springs and Miami is $15,729 (10.45%). Miami's median is +9.49% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Altamonte Springs spans $121,210,Miami spans $117,924. Altamonte Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Altamonte Springs
P10 (Entry)$87,335
P25$108,416
Median$150,578
P75$188,998
P90 (Top)$208,545
Miami
P10 (Entry)$92,580
P25$120,458
Median$166,307
P75$194,914
P90 (Top)$210,504

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Altamonte Springs ($149,383 effective) pays 2.54% more than Miami ($145,685 effective).

Altamonte Springs
Nominal: $150,578
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $149,383
Miami
Nominal: $166,307
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $145,685

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Altamonte Springs if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,383)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($166,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($210,504)
  • Larger job market (720 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, air traffic controller salaries in Altamonte Springs grew 10.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Miami over the same period.

Altamonte Springs, FL

+10.7%

$132,563 (2024) → $146,805 (2025)

Miami, FL

+17.2%

$138,310 (2019) → $162,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: Altamonte Springs or Miami?

Miami has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $166,307/year, compared to Altamonte Springs at $150,578/year — a difference of $15,729 (10.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Altamonte Springs and Miami?

Altamonte Springs air traffic controllers earn $72.39/hr while Miami hygienists earn $79.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Altamonte Springs to Miami as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Altamonte Springs and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Altamonte Springs = $149,383, Miami = $145,685), job availability (9 vs 720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in Altamonte Springs vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $87,335 in Altamonte Springs and $92,580 in Miami. The Miami area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Rodriguez, ATOData verified by Omar Patel, ATO

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.57% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov