Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Carson City, NV: $69.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Carson City, NV runs $69.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Carson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,301 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carson City, Nevada, the projected median hourly pay for an air traffic controller stands at $69.95, which is slightly below the national median of $73.02. This rate suggests a solid earning potential for professionals in this field, especially for those opting for part-time schedules, typically working three days a week, or per-diem roles within various control environments like en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers. The hourly pay range varies significantly, stretching from $40.58 for entry-level positions to as much as $101.53 for experienced controllers at the top of the pay scale. Estimates indicate these hourly figures derive from annual salary data, painting a broad picture of compensation that encompasses different experience levels and settings across the air traffic control sector.
About the Carson City Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.58 | $324.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.36 | $402.89 |
| Median (P50) | $69.95 | $559.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.53 | $716.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.53 | $812.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carson City
Based on $69.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.95/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carson City, NV can expect to earn approximately $145,502 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,943. With a cost-of-living index of 98.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,798.11 | $12,125 | $145,502 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,678.87 | $7,275 | $87,301 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,119.24 | $4,850 | $58,201 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Carson City) | $69.95 |
| 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 Carson City, NV earn a median of $145,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.50% below the Nevada state average of $149,230.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.95/hr = $87,301/year (purchasing power: $88,811).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,502/year (purchasing power: $148,018).
CoL index: 98.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Carson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Carson City grew 20.4% from $56.64/hr (2019) to $68.20/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.75/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 Carson 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 Carson City
Considering a part-time air traffic controller schedule of 24 hours over three days a week, earnings can accumulate to approximately $82,149 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time earnings while still providing competitive compensation relative to other professions. Many air traffic controllers engage in per-diem work, often capitalizing on overtime opportunities that can elevate their effective hourly compensation well above base rates—some controllers at understaffed facilities work 50-60 hours per week, accruing an additional $50,000 to $100,000 in annual overtime. Variability in hourly earnings also stems from employer types; those employed by FAA en route centers and terminal facilities may see different compensation structures than their counterparts at military or contract control towers. Additionally, some controllers might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefit packages that include health insurance, highlighting a significant trade-off in this profession. Career advancement tips for Carson City controllers include negotiating based on unique qualifications and experience, as well as understanding the nuances of pay scales that can differ between FAA and contract employers.
More salary data for Carson City, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Carson 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 Carson 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