Air Traffic Controller Salary

Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Peoria, AZ: $73.51 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Peoria, AZ runs $73.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $152,899 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,743 per year.

$152,899
Median Annual Salary
$73.51/hr
Hourly Rate
$88,681
Entry Level (P10)
$234,553
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Air Traffic Controller Hourly Rate in Peoria, AZ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Peoria, AZ air traffic controller hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Peoria, Arizona, air traffic controllers benefit from a competitive hourly wage, with a median rate projected at $73.51 for 2026. This figure exceeds the national median of $73.02, reflecting the area's favorable compensation compared to other regions. For part-time workers, such as those log 24 hours a week over three days, this translates into a substantial hourly income, making it feasible to balance work with personal commitments. Environments where air traffic controllers typically operate — be it en route center radar consoles or airport control towers — can influence both job stress and pay variation. The hourly pay scale ranges from $42.64 at the entry-level to as high as $112.77 for top earners, indicating a rewarding career path for those who navigate the complexities of air traffic responsibilities.

For part-time controllers, taking home income can vary significantly versus full-time colleagues. A controller working a 3-day week might earn nearly $57,259 annually based on the median hourly rate, while full-time positions often create opportunities for substantial overtime. Many air traffic controllers find their effective hourly compensation rising due to mandated overtime, commonly exceeding 50 hours a week, with the potential for $50k-$100k in additional pay, significantly augmenting their financial prospects. Various employer types in Peoria, such as FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and military installations, further diversify compensation structures. Controllers may opt for lower hourly rates with employment benefits or negotiate higher pay rates without benefits, depending on their personal financial needs. For those considering per diem roles, training negotiability and compensation structures become critical. Thus, understanding these dynamics is essential for maximizing career earnings in the air traffic control sector.

About the Peoria Market

Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$42.64$341.11
Lower Range (P25)$52.93$423.41
Median (P50)$73.51$588.10
Upper Range (P75)$93.78$750.24
Top Earners (P90)$112.77$902.12

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria

Based on $73.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a air traffic controller in Peoria earning $73.51/hr would make approximately $88,214 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $152,905 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$88,214Reduced (32 hr/wk)$117,619Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$152,905

At $73.51/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, AZ can expect to earn approximately $152,905 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,214. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$588.10
per 8hr shift
$2,940.48
per week
$12,742
per month
$152,905
per year

Schedule Comparison in Peoria

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,940.48$12,742$152,905
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,764.29$7,645$91,743
Per Diem (16 hrs)$1,176.19$5,097$61,162

Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Air Traffic Controller (Peoria)$73.51
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing air traffic controller median salary in Peoria ($152,899) with Arizona average ($149,608) and the US national median ($151,886).Peoria$152,899Arizona Avg$149,608+2.20%US National$151,886+0.67%

Air Traffic Controllers in Peoria, AZ earn a median of $152,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.20% above the Arizona state average of $149,608.

Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $73.51/hr = $91,743/year (purchasing power: $93,140).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $152,905/year (purchasing power: $155,233).

CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$59.53/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$71.67/hr

2026 Current Est.

$73.51/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+26.7%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Peoria (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for air traffic controllers in Peoria. Baseline $59.53/hr in 2025, projected to $75.40/hr by 2027.$56$62$67$73$792019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$59.53$63.12$62.80$64.01$66.49$66.79$71.67$73.51$75.40
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$59.53/hrActual
2020$63.12/hrActual
2021$62.80/hrActual
2022$64.01/hrActual
2023$66.49/hrActual
2024$66.79/hrActual
2025$71.67/hrActual
2026(current)$73.51/hrEstimated
2027$75.40/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Peoria grew 20.4% from $59.53/hr (2019) to $71.67/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.40/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Peoria in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Peoria is $73.51/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.57% annual growth). Rates range from $42.64 at entry level (10th percentile) to $112.77 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 0.7% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Peoria?

A part-time air traffic controller working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Peoria earns approximately $7,645/month, or $91,743/year at the median hourly rate of $73.51. Many air traffic controllers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are air traffic controllers in Peoria paid hourly or salary?

The majority of air traffic controllers in Peoria are paid hourly at a median rate of $73.51/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $152,905/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Peoria?

A full-time air traffic controller working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Peoria earns approximately $152,905/year at the median hourly rate of $73.51. This is 0.7% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $234,552/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Peoria?

Part-time and per diem air traffic controllers in Peoria sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $112.77/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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

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 Peoria. 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 Peoria is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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