Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Edinburg, TX: $69.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Edinburg, TX runs $69.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,728 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Edinburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,239 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Edinburg, Texas, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $69.10, which falls slightly below the national average of $73.02. This rate provides a viable income for those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week at various facilities—whether it's en route center radar consoles or airport traffic control towers. Entry-level positions may see rates starting around $40.07 per hour, while experienced controllers can command as much as $101.12. The working environment often includes dimly lit control rooms or 360-degree views from tower cabs, which can be bustling with activity, making the hourly pay a critical factor for controllers managing the complexities of air traffic flow.
About the Edinburg 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) | $40.07 | $320.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.76 | $398.05 |
| Median (P50) | $69.10 | $552.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.45 | $707.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.12 | $808.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Edinburg
Based on $69.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.10/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Edinburg, TX can expect to earn approximately $143,731 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,922. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Edinburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Edinburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,764.06 | $11,978 | $143,731 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,658.43 | $7,187 | $86,239 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,105.62 | $4,791 | $57,492 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Edinburg) | $69.10 |
| 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 Edinburg, TX earn a median of $143,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.37% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% below the Texas state average of $145,769.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.10/hr = $86,239/year (purchasing power: $89,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,731/year (purchasing power: $149,720).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Edinburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Edinburg grew 20.4% from $55.96/hr (2019) to $67.37/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.88/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 Edinburg 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 Edinburg
For those working part-time, particularly on a three-day workweek schedule, annual earnings can be significantly different from full-time counterparts. Controllers typically work 24-hour weeks, which influences total annual income, but many opt for full-time positions to capitalize on the overtime opportunities, frequently earning 1.5 times their base rate for extra hours. This can increase their earnings by tens of thousands of dollars annually, as a significant portion of controllers in Edinburg work 50-60 hour weeks, leading to total compensation well above the base hourly rate. Additionally, employment choices between different facility types—such as FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and airport towers—can impact pay rates. While some may accept lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others pursue higher pay without benefits, reflecting different strategies within the air traffic controller hourly pay dynamics in Edinburg. Negotiating your pay structure and understanding the employer type's implications can be substantial in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Edinburg, TX:
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 Edinburg. 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 Edinburg 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