Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Bellflower, CA: $82.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Bellflower, CA runs $82.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Bellflower's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,457 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Bellflower, CA, can expect a median hourly pay of $82.10, which is notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This premium reflects the cost of living in the region, where the increased expenses can affect part-time and per-diem workers who typically operate in settings such as en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers. With an hourly range extending from $47.61 for entry-level positions to $122.41 for top earners, the profession offers significant earning potential. The data estimates for 2026 indicate that the hourly compensation for air traffic controllers derives from annual salary figures, providing a strong basis for their pay structure in various critical environments, including agency facilities that manage national flow control.
About the Bellflower 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) | $47.61 | $380.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.11 | $472.89 |
| Median (P50) | $82.10 | $656.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.08 | $840.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122.41 | $979.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellflower
Based on $82.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.10/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellflower, CA can expect to earn approximately $170,762 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,516. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellflower.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellflower
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,283.88 | $14,230 | $170,762 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,970.33 | $8,538 | $102,457 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,313.55 | $5,692 | $68,305 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Bellflower) | $82.10 |
| 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 Bellflower, CA earn a median of $170,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.43% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the California state average of $171,795.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.10/hr = $102,457/year (purchasing power: $90,590).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,762/year (purchasing power: $150,983).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bellflower (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $97.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Bellflower grew 20.4% from $66.48/hr (2019) to $80.04/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.21/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 Bellflower 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 Bellflower
When looking at the earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers in Bellflower, the annual take-home for those working three days a week can significantly differ from that of full-time employees. Should controllers opt for agency roles or per diem contracts, their compensation can shift dramatically, particularly with opportunities for overtime, which often pays at 1.5 times the base rate. Many controllers at understaffed facilities routinely clock extended hours, and it’s not uncommon for them to earn an additional $50,000 to $100,000 annually through overtime. Their work spans various employer types, including FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and military control positions, each presenting unique pay scales and benefits. The trade-off between hourly rates and health insurance can influence career choices, with some choosing slightly lower hourly rates for robust benefits packages. Practical negotiation tips may focus on recognizing the value of experience, understanding facility needs, and the limitations on contracting that guide FAA employment, all of which can directly impact the air traffic controller hourly pay in Bellflower, especially as hiring needs change with the industry.
More salary data for Bellflower, CA:
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 Bellflower. 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 Bellflower 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