Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Brownsville, TX: $70.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Brownsville, TX runs $70.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,779 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Brownsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,467 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Brownsville, Texas, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $70.09, which falls slightly below the national median of $73.02. This figure reflects the competitive nature of air traffic controller hourly pay in TX, especially for those working in various settings, including en route centers or terminal radar approach control facilities. The hourly range for controllers spans from $40.65 for entry-level positions to $107.15 for experienced professionals, providing a spectrum of opportunities for both full-time and part-time work. Controllers may find themselves in environments such as busy airport control towers, overseeing flight patterns from control rooms, or involved in traffic management cells that facilitate the national flow of air traffic. These positions can also cater to part-time scenarios, allowing flexible work schedules, which is quite appealing in a profession where hours can be long, often split into shifts on different days.
About the Brownsville 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) | $40.65 | $325.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.46 | $403.72 |
| Median (P50) | $70.09 | $560.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.98 | $711.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.15 | $857.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brownsville
Based on $70.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.09/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brownsville, TX can expect to earn approximately $145,779 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,103. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brownsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brownsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,803.44 | $12,148 | $145,779 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,682.07 | $7,289 | $87,467 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,121.38 | $4,859 | $58,312 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Brownsville) | $70.09 |
| 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 Brownsville, TX earn a median of $145,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $151,886.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.09/hr = $87,467/year (purchasing power: $91,112).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,779/year (purchasing power: $151,853).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Brownsville grew 20.4% from $56.75/hr (2019) to $68.33/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.89/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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers working three days a week can reveal significant differences in annual income compared to full-time counterparts. While full-time controllers often benefit from paid overtime, earning as much as $50,000 to $100,000 more through working 50-60 hours per week, part-timers can also negotiate their per diem pay, especially during facility transfer training. In Brownsville, the type of employer significantly influences the hourly pay structure; those in FAA en route centers or TRACON facilities might encounter varying rates due to staffing levels and local demand. Additionally, some air traffic controllers make choices based on the benefits package offered—opting for jobs that pay a bit less per hour but come with health insurance, as opposed to higher hourly wages without such coverage. Practically, those negotiating hourly rates can improve their compensation by discussing flexibility in work hours or taking roles in areas needing temporary staffing, reflecting the trade-offs inherent in this sought-after career.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
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 Brownsville. 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 Brownsville 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