Air Traffic Controller Salary

Euless vs Houston: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between Euless, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Euless, TX
$141,864
$68.20/hr
Houston, TX
$155,705
$74.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEuless, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$141,864$155,705
Hourly Rate$68.20$74.86
Entry Level (P10)$82,281$90,309
25th Percentile$102,141$112,108
75th Percentile$181,586$199,303
Top Earner (P90)$205,458$238,742
Total Employed14481
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Euless ($141,864) and Houston ($155,705) air traffic controller salaries.EulessHoustonMedian Salary$141,864$155,705Entry Level (P10)$82,281$90,309Top Earner (P90)$205,458$238,742US Median $151,886

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Euless.

The salary gap between Euless and Houston is $13,841 (9.76%). Houston's median is +2.51% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Euless spans $123,177,Houston spans $148,433. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced air traffic controllers.

Euless
P10 (Entry)$82,281
P25$102,141
Median$141,864
P75$181,586
P90 (Top)$205,458
Houston
P10 (Entry)$90,309
P25$112,108
Median$155,705
P75$199,303
P90 (Top)$238,742

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($162,193 effective) pays 9.76% more than Euless ($147,775 effective).

Euless
Nominal: $141,864
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $147,775
Houston
Nominal: $155,705
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $162,193

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Euless if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($155,705/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($238,742)
  • Larger job market (481 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $162,193)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, air traffic controller salaries in Euless grew 0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in Houston over the same period.

Euless, TX

+0.1%

$138,234 (2024) → $138,309 (2025)

Houston, TX

+-12.2%

$172,870 (2022) → $151,804 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: Euless or Houston?

Houston has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $155,705/year, compared to Euless at $141,864/year — a difference of $13,841 (9.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Euless and Houston?

Euless air traffic controllers earn $68.20/hr while Houston hygienists earn $74.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Euless to Houston as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Euless and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Euless = $147,775, Houston = $162,193), job availability (14 vs 481 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in Euless vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $82,281 in Euless and $90,309 in Houston. The Houston 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