Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Glendale, AZ: $75.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Glendale, AZ runs $75.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,110 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Glendale's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,265 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Glendale, Arizona, the median air traffic controller hourly pay stands at $75.53, reflecting a more favorable position compared to the national hourly median of $73.02. This competitive rate is significant for part-time and per-diem workers who might seek flexible hours within various environments, such as en route center radar consoles and control tower operations. With an hourly range from $43.81 at entry-level positions to $112.77 for experienced professionals, controllers can leverage their skills in high-stakes scenarios at TRACON facilities or airport towers. Such settings often involve numerous responsibilities in dynamic control rooms, making the hourly earnings a crucial factor for potential controllers navigating the industry.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.81 | $350.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.38 | $435.06 |
| Median (P50) | $75.53 | $604.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.68 | $773.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.77 | $902.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Glendale
Based on $75.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.53/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Glendale, AZ can expect to earn approximately $157,108 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,639. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Glendale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Glendale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,021.30 | $13,092 | $157,108 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,812.78 | $7,855 | $94,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,208.52 | $5,237 | $62,843 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Glendale) | $75.53 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Glendale, AZ earn a median of $157,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 5.00% above the Arizona state average of $149,628.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.53/hr = $94,265/year (purchasing power: $95,700).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,108/year (purchasing power: $159,500).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$61.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Glendale grew 20.4% from $61.16/hr (2019) to $73.64/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.47/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Glendale
Considering a part-time schedule of three days per week, an air traffic controller in Glendale working a total of 24 hours would see a substantial annual compensation distinct from full-time earnings. While a full-time controller often reaps the benefits of overtime, working 50-60 hours per week boosts their effective hourly compensation well above the base rate, adding between $50,000 to $100,000 to their annual income solely from overtime. In Glendale, the employer type influences hourly rates significantly; for instance, FAA en route centers and military facilities have different compensation structures compared to FAA contract towers. Health benefits may also pose a trade-off, with some opting for a lower hourly rate for comprehensive medical coverage. For those seeking positions, understanding the negotiation landscape for hourly workers is vital, especially regarding potential agencies offering per diem air traffic controller pay in Glendale, where negotiated training contracts and facilities can vary widely in pay and benefits.
More salary data for Glendale, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Glendale. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Glendale 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