Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in El Monte, CA: $84.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in El Monte, CA runs $84.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $176,255 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against El Monte's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $105,747 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for air traffic controllers in El Monte, CA, is projected to reach $84.73, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This attractive pay level not only enhances the earning potential for full-time employees but also draws interest from part-time and per-diem workers in typical control settings, such as busy airport traffic control towers and en route centers. In El Monte, the hourly rate ranges from $49.15 for entry-level positions to $125.41 for top earners, putting controllers in a strong financial position. These figures are derived from annual salary data, highlighting the lucrative nature of air traffic controller hourly pay in this region, particularly amidst the backdrop of high operational demands and staffing challenges faced within the industry.
About the El Monte 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) | $49.15 | $393.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.01 | $488.07 |
| Median (P50) | $84.73 | $677.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108.47 | $867.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125.41 | $1003.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Monte
Based on $84.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.73/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Monte, CA can expect to earn approximately $176,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,680. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in El Monte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Monte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,389.32 | $14,687 | $176,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,033.59 | $8,812 | $105,747 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,355.73 | $5,875 | $70,498 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (El Monte) | $84.73 |
| 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 El Monte, CA earn a median of $176,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.04% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% above the California state average of $171,789.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.73/hr = $105,747/year (purchasing power: $93,499).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $176,245/year (purchasing power: $155,831).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $72.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $100.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in El Monte grew 20.4% from $68.61/hr (2019) to $82.61/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.91/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 El Monte 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 El Monte
Considering a part-time schedule of three days a week, an air traffic controller in El Monte could bring home a substantial annual compensation, though it would be less than that of full-time counterparts. Those working per diem positions can experience substantial earning variability, especially with opportunities for overtime work, which can push their effective hourly compensation significantly above the base rate. Many controllers operating in understaffed facilities may find themselves working 50 to 60 hours per week, with overtime pay resulting in an additional $50,000 to $100,000 in annual earnings. Employment in different facility types also affects stability and pay; while FAA en route centers typically offer consistent hours and competitive wages, FAA contract towers, while offering higher hourly rates, might lack health benefits that make long-term positions more appealing. Negotiation tactics that focus on salary flexibility in El Monte can lead to better agreements, particularly appealing to many controllers who must balance between benefits and hourly pay.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 El Monte. 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 El Monte 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