Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Apopka, FL: $73.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Apopka, FL runs $73.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $151,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Apopka's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,180 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apopka, FL, air traffic controllers earn an estimated median hourly rate of $73.06, slightly above the national median of $73.02. This favorable compensation supports a variety of work arrangements, including part-time schedules typical for professionals who work three days a week, allowing them to balance work with personal commitments. Even at the entry-level (P10), controllers earn around $42.37 per hour, with top earners (P90) commanding up to $109.99 hourly. These hourly rates reflect the intense environment of air traffic control facilities, from radar consoles in en route centers to the bustling atmospheres of TRACON facilities and airport control towers, where controllers must consistently demonstrate their skill to manage traffic efficiently.
About the Apopka Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.37 | $338.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.80 | $422.42 |
| Median (P50) | $73.06 | $584.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.13 | $737.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.99 | $879.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Apopka
Based on $73.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.06/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Apopka, FL can expect to earn approximately $151,966 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $87,673. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Apopka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Apopka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,922.42 | $12,664 | $151,966 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,753.45 | $7,598 | $91,180 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,168.97 | $5,066 | $60,786 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Apopka) | $73.06 |
| 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 Apopka, FL earn a median of $151,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.05% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.70% below the Florida state average of $154,597.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.06/hr = $91,180/year (purchasing power: $90,456).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $151,966/year (purchasing power: $150,760).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Apopka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Apopka grew 20.4% from $59.16/hr (2019) to $71.23/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.94/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 Apopka 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 Apopka
Part-time air traffic controllers in Apopka who work a typical 24-hour week can take home around $45,833 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a considerable income for reduced hours. The per diem air traffic controller pay in Apopka often entails working agency contracts or locum assignments, which can include substantial overtime shifts that elevate effective hourly compensation beyond the base rate. Given the chronic understaffing within FAA facilities, many controllers frequently log 50-60 hours a week, earning $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime annually. Pay rates can vary widely depending on employer type, with FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and smaller contract towers offering different compensation structures. While some may opt for positions with lower hourly rates for the sake of health benefits, others are inclined to pursue higher pay without benefits to meet specific financial goals. Negotiating strategies for hourly workers in Apopka may focus on emphasizing the value of experience while leveraging local demand for air traffic controllers.
More salary data for Apopka, FL:
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 Apopka. 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 Apopka 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