Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $80.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $80.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $167,395 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,435 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Luis Obispo, air traffic controllers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $80.48, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This advantageous pay scale allows for substantial earnings, especially for those considering part-time positions, such as a 3-day workweek; it translates to approximately $62,000 annually for 24 hours per week. Entry-level positions begin around $46.68 per hour, while experienced controllers can reach up to $116.27 per hour. Working conditions for air traffic controllers in San Luis Obispo vary, with duties performed at en route radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers, all crucial for maintaining aviation safety and efficiency. These roles are critical in navigating a bustling airspace, where controllers manage both aircraft in transit and those preparing to land.
About the San Luis Obispo 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) | $46.68 | $373.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.94 | $463.53 |
| Median (P50) | $80.48 | $643.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103.01 | $824.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116.27 | $930.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $80.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.48/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $167,391 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,572. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,219.06 | $13,949 | $167,391 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,931.43 | $8,370 | $100,435 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,287.62 | $5,580 | $66,956 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (San Luis Obispo) | $80.48 |
| 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $167,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.21% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% below the California state average of $171,864.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.48/hr = $100,435/year (purchasing power: $88,802).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,391/year (purchasing power: $148,003).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$65.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $95.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in San Luis Obispo grew 20.4% from $65.17/hr (2019) to $78.46/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.54/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 San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo
Part-time controllers in San Luis Obispo, working only 24 hours a week, can take home a respectable income, though it pales in comparison to full-time earnings. Many who take on part-time roles may find the benefits of a structured 40-hour workweek hard to resist, especially given the potential for significant overtime. Per-diems, or per diem air traffic controller pay in San Luis Obispo, can also be lucrative, especially during agency training transitions where rates are negotiable. Controllers commonly work 50 to 60 hours weekly, often due to chronic understaffing, which can push overall pay significantly above base rates as overtime is compensated at 1.5x. Controllers in different facility types may experience varying hourly rates, such as those in FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and military operations. Balancing pay against health benefits is a practical consideration; some may opt for lower hourly rates that come with substantial healthcare packages, while others may prefer higher hourly wages despite lacking benefits. Negotiation tactics should focus on understanding facility-specific compensation structures and the market demand in San Luis Obispo, paving the way for favorable outcomes in this competitive field.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
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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 San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo 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