Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Folsom, CA: $97.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Folsom, CA runs $97.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $202,696 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Folsom's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $86.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $121,620 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Folsom, California, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $97.45, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This hourly pay reflects the demanding nature of the role, particularly in various work environments such as en route centers and airport control towers, where controllers operate radar consoles and coordinate air traffic. For those considering part-time positions—typically working three days a week—this rate translates into meaningful earnings, as well as for per-diem workers involved in training or temporary fill-ins at different facilities. With a range spanning from $56.52 for entry-level positions to $139.62 for top earners in the field, the hourly pay in Folsom highlights both the potential for substantial income and the critical requirements of maintaining operational safety in the skies.
About the Folsom 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) | $56.52 | $452.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.17 | $561.35 |
| Median (P50) | $97.45 | $779.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124.48 | $995.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139.62 | $1116.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Folsom
Based on $97.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $97.45/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Folsom, CA can expect to earn approximately $202,700 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $116,942. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Folsom.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Folsom
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,898.07 | $16,892 | $202,700 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,338.84 | $10,135 | $121,620 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,559.23 | $6,757 | $81,080 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Folsom) | $97.45 |
| 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 Folsom, CA earn a median of $202,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.45% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 18.00% above the California state average of $171,776.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $97.45/hr = $121,620/year (purchasing power: $107,533).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $202,700/year (purchasing power: $179,222).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$78.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$95.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$97.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Folsom (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $83.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $83.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $84.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $88.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $97.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $95.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Folsom grew 20.4% from $78.91/hr (2019) to $95.01/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $99.96/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 Folsom 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 Folsom
For air traffic controllers contemplating part-time work in Folsom, the financial implications are notable. A controller working 24 hours a week could net upwards of $121,272 annually, a solid income that competes favorably with full-time roles, especially considering that many full-time controllers often rack up considerable overtime at 1.5 times the base. In the context of the chronic understaffing across FAA facilities, it’s not uncommon for those in the field to work 50-60 hours per week, translating to annual earnings boosted by $50,000 to $100,000 from overtime alone. Hourly pay can also vary depending on the type of employer; for instance, en route centers typically offer higher rates compared to smaller airport towers or contract facilities. Furthermore, the decision between accepting slightly lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without them often comes into play during negotiations in Folsom. Understanding the pay scale and navigating the job market effectively can help potential and current air traffic controllers maximize their overall compensation and work-life balance.
More salary data for Folsom, 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 Folsom. 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 Folsom 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