Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Deltona, FL: $70.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Deltona, FL runs $70.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,552 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Deltona's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.4, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,928 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Deltona, Florida, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $70.46, which is just below the national median of $73.02. This rate translates to significant earnings potential for both part-time and full-time employees, especially considering that many controllers work in various environments, from radar consoles in windowless control rooms to traffic management cells at airport towers with panoramic views. For entry-level positions, hourly pay starts at $18.27, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $91.81 per hour. These figures are based on official BLS data projections for 2026 and reflect the growing demand for skilled controllers in a profession marked by unique work settings—often requiring extensive attention to detail and commitment.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.27 | $146.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.10 | $336.84 |
| Median (P50) | $70.46 | $563.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.84 | $606.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.81 | $734.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Deltona
Based on $70.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.46/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Deltona, FL can expect to earn approximately $146,547 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,546. With a cost-of-living index of 99.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Deltona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Deltona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,818.21 | $12,212 | $146,547 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,690.93 | $7,327 | $87,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,127.29 | $4,885 | $58,619 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Deltona) | $70.46 |
| 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 Deltona, FL earn a median of $146,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Florida state average of $154,591.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.46/hr = $87,928/year (purchasing power: $88,488).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,547/year (purchasing power: $147,481).
CoL index: 99.367 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Deltona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Deltona grew 20.4% from $57.05/hr (2019) to $68.69/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.27/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 Deltona 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 Deltona
Controllers working part-time at three days a week, clocking in 24 hours, can still generate respectable earnings, balancing work-life commitments while matching or slightly trailing their full-time counterparts. Overtime opportunities in understaffed facilities, a common issue given the FAA's current staffing challenges, can lead to substantial increases in effective hourly compensation—many controllers taking on 50-60 hours a week can see yearly earnings from overtime ranging between $50,000 and $100,000. The hourly rates for air traffic controllers can also differ based on employer type; facilities under FAA control typically offer better pay structures than contracted towers. Trade-offs in pay versus benefits are common, with some opting for lower hourly rates to secure comprehensive health plans, while pragmatic negotiation—particularly regarding shifts and additional duties—can greatly influence pay for per diem air traffic controller positions in Deltona, FL.
More salary data for Deltona, 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 Deltona. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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