Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Lebanon, PA: $70.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Lebanon, PA runs $70.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Lebanon's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,455 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the projected hourly pay for air traffic controllers is $70.08, which is slightly below the national median of $73.02. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time air traffic controllers, who typically work around three days a week in settings such as en route center radar consoles or airport traffic control towers. With an hourly range starting from $40.64 for entry-level positions to $96.13 for the top earners, the opportunities within air traffic control in Lebanon reflect both the demands of the job and the skill set required to excel. Given that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, they provide a useful insight into what controllers can expect as they navigate their careers in a consistently busy field.
About the Lebanon Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.64 | $325.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.80 | $414.38 |
| Median (P50) | $70.08 | $560.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.39 | $699.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.13 | $769.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lebanon
Based on $70.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.08/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lebanon, PA can expect to earn approximately $145,758 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,091. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lebanon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lebanon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,803.03 | $12,146 | $145,758 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,681.82 | $7,288 | $87,455 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,121.21 | $4,859 | $58,303 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Lebanon) | $70.08 |
| 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 Lebanon, PA earn a median of $145,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.04% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Pennsylvania state average of $147,974.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.08/hr = $87,455/year (purchasing power: $89,789).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,758/year (purchasing power: $149,649).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lebanon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lebanon grew 20.4% from $56.74/hr (2019) to $68.32/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.88/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 Lebanon 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 Lebanon
For part-time air traffic controllers working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can substantially differ when compared to full-time positions. The dynamics of this profession also make per diem pay a viable option, especially for agency or contract roles during facility transfers, where varying hourly rates can be negotiated. The persistent need for controllers has led many to work overtime, often earning significantly more—sometimes reportedly an extra $50k to $100k per year—by clocking 50 to 60 hours a week. Additionally, compensation varies among employers in Lebanon, influenced by facility types such as FAA en route centers and contract towers. Those in the FAA system often have health insurance benefits factored into their pay, presenting a trade-off for controllers who might prefer higher wages without those benefits. Understanding these nuances in air traffic controller hourly pay in Lebanon not only helps current controllers but also guides aspiring candidates in negotiating their worth in the job market.
More salary data for Lebanon, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lebanon in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Lebanon?
Are air traffic controllers in Lebanon paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Lebanon?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Lebanon?
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 Lebanon. 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 Lebanon 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