Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Costa Mesa, CA: $82.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Costa Mesa, CA runs $82.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,605 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Costa Mesa's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,558 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Costa Mesa, California, air traffic controllers can expect a median hourly rate of $82.98, which is notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. For part-time work, typically around three days a week, this rate translates to a substantial income, especially for those employed in various critical settings such as en route centers, radar facilities, and airport control towers. For newly hired controllers, starting hourly rates begin at $48.13, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $124.63 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the unique demands and responsibilities of air traffic control in a city that is part of a high-cost living region.
About the Costa Mesa 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) | $48.13 | $385.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.75 | $477.98 |
| Median (P50) | $82.98 | $663.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.22 | $849.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124.63 | $997.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Costa Mesa
Based on $82.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.98/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Costa Mesa, CA can expect to earn approximately $172,597 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,575. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Costa Mesa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Costa Mesa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,319.17 | $14,383 | $172,597 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,991.50 | $8,630 | $103,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,327.67 | $5,753 | $69,039 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Costa Mesa) | $82.98 |
| 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 Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $172,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% above the California state average of $171,746.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.98/hr = $103,558/year (purchasing power: $91,563).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,597/year (purchasing power: $152,605).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $72.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $98.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Costa Mesa grew 20.4% from $67.19/hr (2019) to $80.90/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.11/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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa
Looking at what this hourly pay means practically, a part-time air traffic controller working 24 hours a week can potentially take home significantly more compared to a full-time position, depending on overtime opportunities prevalent in understaffed facilities. Many air traffic controllers find themselves working 50-60 hours per week, leading to lucrative overtime pay, which can add an extra $50k to $100k to their annual compensation. While agency or locum positions might offer less in base hourly rates, they often provide flexible per diem air traffic controller pay in Costa Mesa. Additionally, the variation in pay can be influenced by the type of employer—whether it be FAA en route centers, terminal facilities, or military operations—which may offer different hourly rates based on the specific job duties and benefits provided. Therefore, negotiating for health benefits versus higher hourly wages is a crucial decision for air traffic controllers contemplating their long-term career paths within this strategic field of aviation.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Costa Mesa in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Costa Mesa?
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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 Costa Mesa. 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 Costa Mesa 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