Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Sahuarita, AZ: $69.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Sahuarita, AZ runs $69.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,429 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Sahuarita's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,661 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sahuarita, Arizona, the air traffic controller hourly pay is projected to be $69.44 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $73.02 for this occupation. This hourly rate positions local air traffic controllers well within the profession, especially for part-time workers seeking flexible schedules. For those working three days a week or taking per-diem assignments, this translates into meaningful earnings, particularly in the fast-paced environments of en route centers, TRACON radar facilities, and control towers. Entry-level controllers can expect to earn around $40.41 per hour, while top earners in the region can make as much as $99.01 hourly. These figures underscore how hourly pay, estimated from annual salary data, informs part-time and contractual arrangements in a field that demands precision and expertise.
About the Sahuarita 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) | $40.41 | $323.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.14 | $409.13 |
| Median (P50) | $69.44 | $555.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.44 | $691.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.01 | $792.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sahuarita
Based on $69.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.44/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sahuarita, AZ can expect to earn approximately $144,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,328. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sahuarita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sahuarita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,777.60 | $12,036 | $144,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,666.56 | $7,222 | $86,661 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,111.04 | $4,814 | $57,774 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Sahuarita) | $69.44 |
| 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 Sahuarita, AZ earn a median of $144,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.50% below the Arizona state average of $149,667.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.44/hr = $86,661/year (purchasing power: $87,981).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,435/year (purchasing power: $146,634).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sahuarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Sahuarita grew 20.4% from $56.23/hr (2019) to $67.70/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.22/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 Sahuarita 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 Sahuarita
Considering part-time opportunities, an air traffic controller working 24 hours a week could generate a significant income; yet the difference in earnings between part-time and full-time roles reveals a stark contrast. Many air traffic controllers enjoy the reality of significant overtime, where the effective hourly compensation can exceed standard rates. Controllers often work 50-60 hours a week with overtime pay leading to annual earnings that can skyrocket to $50,000 or even $100,000 more than their base salary. Hourly rates can vary greatly based on the employer type; for example, those employed by FAA en route centers may have different compensation packages than those at contract towers or military installations. Furthermore, controllers must weigh trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits and slightly lower rates accompanied by health insurance. For those negotiating positions in Sahuarita, emphasizing availability for overtime and remaining open to per diem roles can provide leverage during discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Sahuarita, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Sahuarita in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Sahuarita?
Are air traffic controllers in Sahuarita paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Sahuarita?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Sahuarita?
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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 Sahuarita. 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 Sahuarita 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