Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cedar Park, TX: $84,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Cedar Park, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,206 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Park's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,715 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($145,183) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The starting air traffic controller salary in Cedar Park, TX is projected to be $84,206 for entry-level positions in 2026. Compared to the city’s median annual salary of $145,183, new graduates can expect to start significantly lower before progressing through the pay scale. Within the first few years, newly hired controllers may advance to about $104,531, reflecting the gradual increase in responsibility and complexity of their roles. Cedar Park presents a stable market for new air traffic controllers, offering promising opportunities for those entering the profession. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.57%, candidates can anticipate steady advancement as they build their skills in this critical field.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Park
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Park
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Cedar Park, TX typically start between $84,206 and $104,531 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,345 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $145,183 — 4.41% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Texas of $38,000 represents just 45.13% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($84,206/year) in Cedar Park. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Park
- 1Research the Cedar Park market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $84,206 to $104,531, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Park, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cedar Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Park's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Cedar Park is $132,345 ( 157.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,206, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,551.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,533
2025 BLS Actual
$82,096
2026 Current Est.
$84,206
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,533 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,171 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,249 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,052 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,370 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Park, TX grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,533 in 2019 to $82,096 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,370. New graduates entering the Cedar Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your aviation Career in Cedar Park
For aspiring air traffic controllers in Cedar Park, understanding the hiring pathways is essential. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) actively recruits through various channels, including periodic public announcements for "off-the-street" hiring, aimed primarily at those under 31, unless they are veterans. Additionally, the FAA collaborates with select universities via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program, ensuring graduates are well-prepared. As for career advancement strategies, taking part in the FAA Academy and completing the Initial Qualification Training are vital steps, accompanied by rigorous training at specific facilities to achieve Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status. Entry-level controllers can look forward to notable salary increases as they transition into more complex roles, with top-tier en route facilities, after further experience, providing salaries that can exceed $200,000 due to shift differentials and overtime opportunities. Long-term, the mandatory retirement age of 56 allows for a dynamic job market, especially during periods of chronic understaffing in the industry.
More salary data for Cedar Park, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cedar Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov