Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Los Alamos, NM: $65.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Los Alamos, NM runs $65.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,134 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Los Alamos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,681 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Alamos, NM, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $65.45, which is lower than the national median of $73.02. This difference can have significant implications for those considering part-time or per-diem work. For controllers who work three days a week, approximately 24 hours, the financial perspective changes dramatically. The hourly pay varies based on experience and facility type, with entry-level roles starting at around $37.96 and top earners making as much as $91.07 per hour. Given the typical work environments—ranging from en route center radar consoles in dimly lit rooms to the bustling cabs of airport traffic control towers—these hourly estimates reflect the responsibilities and complexities of air traffic management in high-demand locations.
About the Los Alamos 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) | $37.96 | $303.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.78 | $382.22 |
| Median (P50) | $65.45 | $523.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.87 | $662.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.07 | $728.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Alamos
Based on $65.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.45/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Alamos, NM can expect to earn approximately $136,136 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,540. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Alamos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Alamos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,618.00 | $11,345 | $136,136 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,570.80 | $6,807 | $81,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,047.20 | $4,538 | $54,454 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Los Alamos) | $65.45 |
| 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 Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $136,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.37% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $147,651.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.45/hr = $81,681/year (purchasing power: $86,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,136/year (purchasing power: $144,212).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Los Alamos grew 20.4% from $53.00/hr (2019) to $63.81/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.13/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 Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
For those contemplating part-time positions in the air traffic control field, the earnings from working 24 hours a week can yield considerable differences compared to full-time roles. A part-time controller might find themselves taking home significantly less, yet the flexibility can appeal to some. Additionally, per-diem air traffic controller pay in Los Alamos presents unique benefits, as many controllers earn overtime at 1.5 times their base rate, with some working upwards of 60 hours weekly. This reality can lead to substantial annual earnings exceeding standard salary figures when accounting for overtime. Moreover, the type of employer greatly influences pay, with FAA en route centers generally offering higher rates than military or contract facilities. The trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits become crucial, as some might opt for lower rates with health coverage rather than higher pay without it. Successful negotiation tactics focusing on flexibility and the potential for overtime can make a marked difference in one’s overall compensation strategy in this market.
More salary data for Los Alamos, 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 Los Alamos. 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 Los Alamos 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