Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Benbrook, TX: $66.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Benbrook, TX runs $66.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,274 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Benbrook's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,962 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Benbrook, TX, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $66.48, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This discrepancy highlights the potential challenges for controllers who may choose to work part-time, while those seeking per-diem positions at FAA facilities will find varied pay dynamics based on workload and environment. The hourly compensation ranges from $38.56 at entry-level positions to $93.76 for top earners, with employment settings including en route centers and airport traffic control towers. These positions involve intense responsibility in environments that could range from high-tech radar consoles to airport control cabins with expansive views, allowing for both a thrilling and demanding work atmosphere.
About the Benbrook Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.56 | $308.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.86 | $382.87 |
| Median (P50) | $66.48 | $531.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.50 | $659.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.76 | $750.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benbrook
Based on $66.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.48/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benbrook, TX can expect to earn approximately $138,269 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,771. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benbrook.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benbrook
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,659.02 | $11,522 | $138,269 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,595.41 | $6,913 | $82,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.61 | $4,609 | $55,308 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Benbrook) | $66.48 |
| 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 Benbrook, TX earn a median of $138,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.96% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Texas state average of $145,858.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.48/hr = $82,962/year (purchasing power: $86,418).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,269/year (purchasing power: $144,031).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Benbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Benbrook grew 20.4% from $53.83/hr (2019) to $64.81/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.18/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 Benbrook 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 Benbrook
For controllers working part-time, earning potential is substantial but varies widely. A standard schedule of three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can still yield a significant annual income compared to full-time roles, but controllers often seek out overtime opportunities. Many find themselves working beyond the standard hours, as facilities often experience staffing shortages, pushing the effective hourly compensation into a more lucrative structure—especially with overtime rates at 1.5 times the base. The flexibility of per diem air traffic controller pay in Benbrook allows opportunities for additional earnings during transfer training with negotiations tailored based on experience. Moreover, controllers across different employment types—FAA, military, and contract facilities—face unique pay scales and benefits that influence their hourly decisions, often weighing higher pay against health insurance availability. Negotiating salary in this context requires a clear understanding of the local market and the intrinsic value of benefits versus pay alone.
More salary data for Benbrook, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Benbrook in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Benbrook?
Are air traffic controllers in Benbrook paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Benbrook?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Benbrook?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Benbrook. 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 Benbrook 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