Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $82.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Santa Maria, CA runs $82.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,800 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,084 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Maria, California, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $82.60, which is significantly higher than the national average of $73.02. This discrepancy reflects the unique cost of living and demand for skilled professionals in the area. For those working part-time at three days a week, this translates into approximately $6,650 per month, or $79,800 annually, allowing for flexible scheduling while still earning a competitive wage. Per-diem opportunities also abound in this field, driven by diverse settings such as en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers, where hourly rates range from $47.91 for entry-level positions to $123.27 for top earners. These numbers are derived from annual salary estimates, emphasizing the lucrative potential for air traffic controllers in Santa Maria and their essential role in the local airspace operations.
About the Santa Maria 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) | $47.91 | $383.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.47 | $475.76 |
| Median (P50) | $82.60 | $660.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.72 | $845.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.27 | $986.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $82.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.60/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,807 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,120. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,303.98 | $14,317 | $171,807 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,982.39 | $8,590 | $103,084 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,321.59 | $5,727 | $68,723 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Santa Maria) | $82.60 |
| 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 Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $171,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% higher than the national median of $151,886.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.60/hr = $103,084/year (purchasing power: $91,144).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,807/year (purchasing power: $151,907).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $97.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Santa Maria grew 20.4% from $66.89/hr (2019) to $80.53/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.72/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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
The earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers in Santa Maria can be considerably high, especially when factoring in overtime possibilities and contractual negotiations. A controller working 24 hours a week may take home substantial supplementary income through overtime, as many full-time colleagues often log 50-60 hours weekly due to ongoing staffing challenges. This can result in effective hourly compensation that may exceed base rates, significantly enhancing annual take-home pay beyond standard calculations. Different employer types also contribute to variations in pay; controllers at FAA en route centers and terminal radar approaches typically command higher hourly rates compared to those in smaller contracting facilities. Furthermore, some professionals face a decision between higher hourly wages without benefits and more modest pay with comprehensive health coverage. Navigating these options successfully is crucial for maintaining financial stability while pursuing a fulfilling career in air traffic management in Santa Maria, CA.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria. 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 Santa Maria 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