Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $76.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Commerce City, CO runs $76.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $158,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Commerce City, Colorado, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $76.07, which is slightly above the national median of $73.02 per hour. This favorable hourly pay not only reflects the controller’s crucial role in managing the safety and efficiency of air traffic but also presents attractive opportunities for part-time and per-diem work. For example, a part-time air traffic controller working 3 days a week can expect to earn a solid income, particularly from high-stakes environments such as TRACON radar facilities and airport control towers. Hourly wages in Commerce City range from $44.12 at the lower percentile to $109.52 at the higher percentile, indicating a pathway for entry-level positions that can evolve into lucrative roles for experienced controllers.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.12 | $352.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.76 | $438.10 |
| Median (P50) | $76.07 | $608.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.36 | $778.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.52 | $876.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $76.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $76.07/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $158,217 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,279. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,042.64 | $13,185 | $158,217 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,825.58 | $7,911 | $94,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,217.05 | $5,274 | $63,287 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Commerce City) | $76.07 |
| 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 Commerce City, CO earn a median of $158,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.16% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $163,100.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $76.07/hr = $94,930/year (purchasing power: $90,410).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $158,217/year (purchasing power: $150,683).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$76.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Commerce City grew 20.4% from $61.59/hr (2019) to $74.16/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.02/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 Commerce City 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 Commerce City
Part-time air traffic controllers in Commerce City, working roughly 24 hours per week, can take home modest earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. However, the flexibility of part-time roles allows many to balance personal commitments while benefiting from the overtime potential that drives earnings significantly higher for full-time staff. Many controllers experience hours beyond the typical 40, commonly working between 50-60 hours per week, which significantly enhances their compensation through overtime—paid at 1.5 times the base rate. Facilities such as FAA en route centers typically offer varied hourly rates dictated by the facility type, and controllers may prioritize positions based on employer benefits versus higher pay rates without health insurance. When negotiating their pay as hourly employees, controllers should consider the total compensation package and seek roles that not only offer competitive pay but also provide comprehensive benefits in a landscape shaped by understaffing and mandatory retirement at age 56.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
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 Commerce City. 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 Commerce City 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