Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Rialto, CA: $84.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Rialto, CA runs $84.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $174,951 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Rialto's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,966 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rialto, California, the projected median hourly pay for an air traffic controller in 2026 stands at $84.11, considerably higher than the national hourly median of $73.02. This strong salary offers appealing options for both part-time workers and those seeking per-diem opportunities in a profession that requires focused attention and precision in various environments, such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport traffic control towers. The hourly pay varies significantly across the profession, ranging from $48.78 for entry-level positions to an impressive $123.20 for top earners. Such figures provide substantial earning potential for air traffic controllers in Rialto, especially when taking into account that these estimates derive from annual salary data, reflecting the financial stability the profession can offer.
About the Rialto 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) | $48.78 | $390.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.56 | $484.46 |
| Median (P50) | $84.11 | $672.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107.66 | $861.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.20 | $985.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rialto
Based on $84.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.11/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rialto, CA can expect to earn approximately $174,943 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,929. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rialto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rialto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,364.30 | $14,579 | $174,943 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,018.58 | $8,747 | $104,966 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,345.72 | $5,831 | $69,977 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Rialto) | $84.11 |
| 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 Rialto, CA earn a median of $174,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.19% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.80% above the California state average of $171,857.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.11/hr = $104,966/year (purchasing power: $92,808).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $174,943/year (purchasing power: $154,680).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rialto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $72.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $99.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Rialto grew 20.4% from $68.11/hr (2019) to $82.00/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.27/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 Rialto 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 Rialto
Evaluating part-time earnings, an air traffic controller working three days a week can take home a competitive income compared to full-time colleagues. For instance, by working 24 hours weekly, a part-time controller may earn a solid annual income while enjoying a better work-life balance. In practice, many controllers also engage in per-diem work, effectively increasing their earnings through overtime opportunities, which can push their effective hourly compensation well above the base rate. Facilities often face chronic understaffing, meaning the potential for overtime is significant, with many controllers clocking up to 50-60 hours per week and earning additional pay upwards of $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime annually. Hourly rates can vary based on employer type within Rialto; those working for FAA en route centers or airport traffic control towers may see different compensation structures. Furthermore, the availability of health insurance can be a crucial factor when weighing options between potentially lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without. As the industry navigates ongoing staffing challenges, controllers equipped with negotiation skills may secure favorable hourly agreements, especially in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Rialto, 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 Rialto. 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 Rialto 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