Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Chula Vista, CA: $85.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Chula Vista, CA runs $85.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $177,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Chula Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,285 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chula Vista, California, air traffic controllers benefit from a strong median hourly pay of $85.16, which exceeds the national median of $73.02 by a noteworthy margin. This competitive compensation reflects the complexities and responsibilities of their roles, typically conducted in settings such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, or airport traffic control towers. For those choosing part-time work, for example just three days a week, the earning potential remains substantial, given the hourly rate, which can fluctuate from $49.40 for entry-level positions to as much as $127.12 for highly experienced controllers. These figures provide a clear picture of the earnings landscape and emphasize opportunities for lucrative per-diem work in aviation facilities, especially for those willing to adapt to various environments associated with air traffic management.
About the Chula Vista 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) | $49.40 | $395.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.32 | $490.53 |
| Median (P50) | $85.16 | $681.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109.01 | $872.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127.12 | $1016.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chula Vista
Based on $85.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.16/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chula Vista, CA can expect to earn approximately $177,141 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,197. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chula Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chula Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,406.55 | $14,762 | $177,141 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,043.93 | $8,857 | $106,285 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,362.62 | $5,905 | $70,856 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Chula Vista) | $85.16 |
| 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 Chula Vista, CA earn a median of $177,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.63% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% above the California state average of $171,814.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.16/hr = $106,285/year (purchasing power: $93,974).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $177,141/year (purchasing power: $156,623).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$83.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chula Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $100.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $83.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Chula Vista grew 20.4% from $68.96/hr (2019) to $83.03/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.35/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 Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista
The potential for earning as a part-time air traffic controller in Chula Vista can illustrate a significant income stream. A controller working 24 hours a week might expect to take home about $106,616 annually, which does not include lucrative overtime pay common in the industry. Many air traffic controllers engage in part-time or per-diem positions, with overtime pay often driving effective hourly compensation well above the base rate. It's not uncommon for controllers at understaffed facilities to clock in 50-60 hours a week, which can result in additional earnings of $50,000 to $100,000 annually from overtime alone. Hourly rates can vary depending on employer type; FAA ARTCCs and TRACONs typically offer different pay scales compared to FAA contract towers, military divisions, or DOD civilian ATC positions. In negotiations, having strong knowledge of the varying rates and benefits across job types can empower controllers to achieve better compensation, especially considering the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with health benefits versus higher base pay without them.
More salary data for Chula Vista, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Chula Vista in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Chula Vista?
Are air traffic controllers in Chula Vista paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Chula Vista?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Chula Vista?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Chula Vista. 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 Chula Vista 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