Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $81.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $81.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $169,454 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,676 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, air traffic controllers command a median hourly pay of $81.47, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This attractive pay scale reflects the specialized nature of the profession and allows for diverse work arrangements, including part-time and per-diem roles. Controllers, often working at en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, or airport traffic control towers, benefit from flexible schedules. For instance, part-time workers on a three-day shift schedule can expect to earn a substantial income, with entry-level hourly rates starting at $47.25 and reaching as high as $122.37 for top earners. These figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, highlighting the lucrative nature of air traffic controller positions in the region.
About the Santa Rosa 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) | $47.25 | $378.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.66 | $469.28 |
| Median (P50) | $81.47 | $651.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104.28 | $834.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122.37 | $978.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $81.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.47/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $169,460 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,766. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,258.85 | $14,122 | $169,460 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,955.31 | $8,473 | $101,676 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,303.54 | $5,649 | $67,784 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Santa Rosa) | $81.47 |
| 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 Rosa, CA earn a median of $169,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.57% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% below the California state average of $171,860.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.47/hr = $101,676/year (purchasing power: $89,899).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $169,460/year (purchasing power: $149,832).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$65.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $96.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Santa Rosa grew 20.4% from $65.97/hr (2019) to $79.43/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.57/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 Rosa 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 Rosa
For those contemplating part-time positions or per-diem air traffic controller pay in Santa Rosa, the earning potential is significant but varies widely. A part-time controller working 24 hours a week would gross approximately $101,433 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time peers who often push for overtime. Many controllers face a reality of working 50-60 hours weekly to manage understaffing, leading to overtime pay that can elevate their hourly compensation far beyond the base rates. The hourly earnings can differ across various employers—FAA facilities, military bases, and contract towers in Santa Rosa each offer unique pay structures. Additionally, some air traffic controllers opt for positions that provide health benefits despite the lower hourly rate, weighing security against potentially higher compensation in non-benefit roles. Careful negotiation is crucial for maximizing salaries, especially for those navigating the complexities of part-time or per-diem roles within the FAA framework.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa. 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 Rosa 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