Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Thousand Oaks, CA: $83.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Thousand Oaks, CA runs $83.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,799 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Thousand Oaks's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,673 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thousand Oaks, California, air traffic controllers enjoy a median hourly rate of $83.07, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This competitive pay reflects the demanding nature of the job, typically performed in specialized environments like en route center radar consoles and airport control towers. For part-time controllers working three days a week, the financial incentive can be quite appealing, with the potential to earn a substantial income while benefiting from a flexible schedule. The hourly rates for entry-level positions begin around $48.19, while the most experienced professionals can command up to $124.96 per hour. These figures provide insight into the diverse earning potential in Thousand Oaks, where air traffic control roles are concentrated in varied operational settings.
About the Thousand Oaks 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) | $48.19 | $385.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.82 | $478.55 |
| Median (P50) | $83.07 | $664.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.33 | $850.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124.96 | $999.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thousand Oaks
Based on $83.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.07/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thousand Oaks, CA can expect to earn approximately $172,789 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,686. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thousand Oaks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thousand Oaks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,322.86 | $14,399 | $172,789 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,993.71 | $8,639 | $103,673 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,329.14 | $5,760 | $69,115 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Thousand Oaks) | $83.07 |
| 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 Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $172,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.77% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% above the California state average of $171,768.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.07/hr = $103,673/year (purchasing power: $91,665).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,789/year (purchasing power: $152,775).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $72.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $98.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Thousand Oaks grew 20.4% from $67.27/hr (2019) to $80.99/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.21/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 Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks
The earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers in Thousand Oaks can translate to an annual income of approximately $129,000, based on a typical 24-hour work week. This contrasts with full-time controllers, who may significantly increase their earnings through overtime, often accruing 50-60 hours of work per week, especially in federally staffed facilities like ARTCCs and TRACONs. Overtime pay can raise total annual compensation upward by $50,000 to $100,000, illustrating the financial benefits of overstretched staffing resources post-2013 sequester. Controllers considering per diem positions may negotiate rates during training or facility transitions, but with no contracting options, they typically remain under FAA employment guidelines. Moreover, the decision to prioritize health insurance benefits over higher hourly pay is common, as many controllers assess their overall compensation package based on individual needs and lifestyle. Local negotiation strategies should emphasize the cost of living in Thousand Oaks, which is above the national average, further reinforcing the justification for competitive air traffic controller hourly pay in CA.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, 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 Thousand Oaks. 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 Thousand Oaks 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