Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Winter Park, FL: $73.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Winter Park, FL runs $73.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $153,289 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Winter Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,973 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winter Park, FL, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $73.70, which slightly exceeds the national median of $73.02. This hourly compensation potently reflects the complexity of their work environment, often situated in en route centers, TRACON facilities, or airport control towers. For those contemplating part-time positions, such as a three-day work week, this translates to a significant income of approximately $56,904 annually for 24 hours of work a week. As for entry-level positions, hourly pay can start at approximately $42.74, while top earners can see their compensation rise to $104.65 per hour. Given the industry demands and the hours worked in both facilities and simulated environments, these hourly rates—while derived from projected annual salaries—capture the dynamic nature of air traffic control in Winter Park.
About the Winter Park 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) | $42.74 | $341.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.06 | $424.48 |
| Median (P50) | $73.70 | $589.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.08 | $752.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.65 | $837.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winter Park
Based on $73.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.70/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winter Park, FL can expect to earn approximately $153,289 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,436. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Winter Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winter Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,947.86 | $12,774 | $153,289 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,768.72 | $7,664 | $91,973 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,179.14 | $5,110 | $61,316 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Winter Park) | $73.70 |
| 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 Winter Park, FL earn a median of $153,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.92% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the Florida state average of $154,525.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.70/hr = $91,973/year (purchasing power: $91,243).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $153,289/year (purchasing power: $152,072).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Winter Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Winter Park grew 20.4% from $59.68/hr (2019) to $71.85/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.59/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 Winter Park 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 Winter Park
Looking beyond straightforward hourly pay, part-time air traffic controllers can expect to bring home around $56,904 annually when working 24 hours each week. However, the true earning potential for many in this profession is often found through per-diem arrangements or overtime opportunities. Controllers frequently clock in 50 to 60 hours per week, resulting in significant overtime pay that can elevate their earnings into the range of $50,000 to $100,000 beyond their base salary. In Winter Park, salaries may vary depending on the type of employer, such as FAA en route centers or terminal facilities, with the possibility of lower hourly rates compensated by benefits in federally funded positions. Negotiating for a favorable hourly rate could involve assessing the trade-off between wage and benefits, particularly for those who may prioritize health insurance when choosing between military ATC roles or FAA contract facilities.
More salary data for Winter Park, 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 Winter Park. 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 Winter Park 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