Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Hobbs, NM: $69.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Hobbs, NM runs $69.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,620 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Hobbs's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,175 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hobbs, New Mexico, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $69.05. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $73.02, indicating a competitive but somewhat restrained wage landscape in this region. For those in positions that allow for part-time work—typically in settings such as en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers—this hourly rate presents solid earning potential. For example, a part-time air traffic controller working three days a week can expect to make a meaningful contribution to their income, while entry-level positions can start at around $40.04 per hour, reaching up to $99.64 for those at the top of the pay scale. These projections reflect the necessity of focusing on hourly earnings as many positions in air traffic control demand flexible scheduling and the potential for various per-diem arrangements at facilities.
About the Hobbs Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.04 | $320.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.46 | $411.67 |
| Median (P50) | $69.05 | $552.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.38 | $707.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.64 | $797.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hobbs
Based on $69.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.05/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hobbs, NM can expect to earn approximately $143,624 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,860. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hobbs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hobbs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,762.00 | $11,969 | $143,624 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,657.20 | $7,181 | $86,175 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,104.80 | $4,787 | $57,450 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Hobbs) | $69.05 |
| 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 Hobbs, NM earn a median of $143,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.44% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the New Mexico state average of $147,757.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.05/hr = $86,175/year (purchasing power: $91,287).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,624/year (purchasing power: $152,144).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hobbs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Hobbs grew 20.4% from $55.91/hr (2019) to $67.32/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.82/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 Hobbs 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 Hobbs
Delving deeper into the earning potential, part-time controllers in Hobbs working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week may take home a substantial portion of a full-time salary without the commitment of a 40-hour week. This flexibility can be attractive for those balancing other commitments or wishing to supplement their income. Moreover, due to chronic understaffing in air traffic control, workers frequently find themselves earning significant overtime, often clocking between 50 to 60 hours weekly. This overtime can elevate effective hourly compensation far above the base rate, with total earnings including overtime potentially exceeding $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Differences across employers, such as FAA en route centers versus contractor-operated facilities, introduce unique opportunities and pay structures, where some controllers accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits offered by federal jobs. Effective negotiation strategies can play a vital role for hourly workers in Hobbs coming from a background in the FAA's various hiring pipelines or transitions from military careers, making it advantageous to discuss pay with these variables in mind.
More salary data for Hobbs, NM:
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 Hobbs. 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 Hobbs 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