Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Lake Havasu City, AZ: $71.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Lake Havasu City, AZ runs $71.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,461 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Lake Havasu City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,080 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Havasu City, the hourly pay for air traffic controllers is projected to be $71.38 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $73.02. This figure translates into significant earnings potential for those considering both full-time and part-time roles, especially at facilities such as en route centers and airport control towers. Part-time employment for an air traffic controller, working three days a week, can yield substantial income, while per-diem positions allow for flexibility in scheduling. The hourly pay ranges from $41.40 at entry-level positions to $105.99 for top earners, highlighting the opportunities for career advancement within this critical field, where controllers operate in various high-pressure settings including radar consoles and traffic management cells.
About the Lake Havasu City 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) | $41.40 | $331.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.38 | $419.06 |
| Median (P50) | $71.38 | $571.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.36 | $730.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.99 | $847.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Havasu City
Based on $71.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.38/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Havasu City, AZ can expect to earn approximately $148,467 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,654. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Havasu City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Havasu City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,855.14 | $12,372 | $148,467 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,713.08 | $7,423 | $89,080 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,142.06 | $4,949 | $59,387 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Lake Havasu City) | $71.38 |
| 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 Lake Havasu City, AZ earn a median of $148,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.25% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $149,658.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.38/hr = $89,080/year (purchasing power: $90,437).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,467/year (purchasing power: $150,728).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lake Havasu City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lake Havasu City grew 20.4% from $57.80/hr (2019) to $69.59/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.21/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 Lake Havasu City 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 Lake Havasu City
For individuals contemplating part-time work in Lake Havasu City, earning potential can vary greatly. A controller working 24 hours per week would bring home a considerably different annual income compared to full-time peers. Many controllers frequently engage in overtime shifts, often logging 50-60 hours a week, which can significantly elevate their effective hourly compensation. This can lead to totals well above base rates, especially in understaffed environments that necessitate additional hours. Moreover, per diem air traffic controller pay in Lake Havasu City can be negotiated, particularly during training. The type of employer can also influence pay rates—FAA centers may offer different remuneration structures compared to military or contract facilities. Controllers must weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against the security found in positions that provide health insurance, creating a unique scenario for negotiating work terms specific to the local market.
More salary data for Lake Havasu City, 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 Lake Havasu City. 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 Lake Havasu City 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