Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $74.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Tampa, FL runs $74.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $154,573 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $92,741 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the expected hourly pay for air traffic controllers is projected to be $74.31 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $73.02. This hourly rate opens the door for part-time positions, where controllers working three days a week could earn substantial income while enjoying a balanced schedule. Settings for air traffic controllers in Tampa include en route center radar consoles located in dimly lit control rooms, TRACON facilities adjacent to airports, and airport traffic control towers with panoramic views of air traffic. For entry-level controllers, hourly wages start at approximately $44.04, while experienced professionals can command up to $91.81 per hour. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, reflecting the competitive environment for air traffic controller hourly pay in Tampa, FL.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.04 | $352.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.70 | $437.60 |
| Median (P50) | $74.31 | $594.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.98 | $703.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.81 | $734.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $74.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $74.31/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $154,569 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $89,174. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,972.48 | $12,881 | $154,569 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,783.49 | $7,728 | $92,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,188.99 | $5,152 | $61,828 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Tampa) | $74.31 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $154,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% higher than the national median of $151,886.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $74.31/hr = $92,741/year (purchasing power: $91,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $154,569/year (purchasing power: $153,205).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$72.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$74.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $72.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Tampa grew 20.4% from $60.17/hr (2019) to $72.45/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.22/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
Exploring compensation for air traffic controllers in Tampa reveals interesting dynamics, particularly for those considering part-time work. A controller working three days a week for a total of 24 hours would have an annual take-home of about $92,788 compared to a full-time equivalent, highlighting a significant earning potential even on a reduced schedule. The per diem air traffic controller pay in Tampa can vary, especially since many facilities see controllers working overtime—often upwards of 50-60 hours per week—resulting in considerable increases in total earnings through overtime pay. In Tampa, air traffic controllers at FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and airport traffic control towers may find differences in hourly rates based on employer type. While FAA facilities provide greater job stability and benefits, some controllers are drawn to roles with higher hourly rates but fewer benefits. Negotiation tips for hourly workers include emphasizing skill sets acquired at the FAA Academy and considering the long-term value of benefits against higher short-term payments offered by private contracts or smaller facilities.
More salary data for Tampa, 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 Tampa. 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, 5-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