Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Anaheim, CA: $86.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Anaheim, CA runs $86.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $180,626 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Anaheim's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $76.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $108,371 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Anaheim, California, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $86.84, surpassing the national hourly median of $73.02 by a significant margin. This competitive rate reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities required for the role, particularly among controllers working at en route centers, TRACONs, and airport control towers. For part-time employees working three days a week, the compensation translates to a substantial weekly paycheck, which will benefit those balancing multiple commitments. The pay scale for air traffic controllers in Anaheim ranges from $50.36 at the entry-level (P10) to $132.37 for top earners (P90), allowing for various earning potentials depending on experience and facility assignment. It's crucial to recognize that these hourly rates are derived from projected annual data, indicating a profession that not only recognizes the technical expertise of its workforce but strives to incentivize talent retention in a competitive job market.
About the Anaheim Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.36 | $402.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.53 | $500.21 |
| Median (P50) | $86.84 | $694.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111.16 | $889.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132.37 | $1058.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anaheim
Based on $86.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $86.84/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anaheim, CA can expect to earn approximately $180,618 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $104,203. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Anaheim.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anaheim
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,473.43 | $15,052 | $180,618 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,084.06 | $9,031 | $108,371 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,389.37 | $6,021 | $72,247 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Anaheim) | $86.84 |
| 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 Anaheim, CA earn a median of $180,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.92% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 5.10% above the California state average of $171,861.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $86.84/hr = $108,371/year (purchasing power: $95,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $180,618/year (purchasing power: $159,698).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$70.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$84.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$86.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Anaheim (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $74.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $75.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $78.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $104.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $84.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Anaheim grew 20.4% from $70.32/hr (2019) to $84.66/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $89.07/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 Anaheim 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 Anaheim
Working as an air traffic controller in Anaheim can provide varied earning opportunities depending on employment type. Controllers working part-time for 24 hours a week could expect to bring home around $70,000 annually, which is a substantial income given the flexible schedule. On the other hand, many in this field prefer full-time positions, often requiring them to put in 50-60 hours a week due to ongoing staffing shortages in the industry. This can lead to effective hourly compensation that exceeds the base rate significantly, especially when accounting for overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate. Moreover, per diem air traffic controller pay in Anaheim can be negotiable depending on the specifics of facility transfer training, making the financial outlook even more favorable for those willing to adapt to different work environments. Types of employers also influence hourly compensation; controllers at FAA en route centers may earn more compared to those at contract towers, which impacts the decision-making process regarding hours versus benefits. Controllers often weigh higher hourly rates against the security of employer-provided benefits, shaping their career paths amidst the realities of mandatory retirement at age 56 and the varied hiring pipelines available in the industry.
More salary data for Anaheim, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Anaheim. 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 Anaheim 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