Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $71.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Lubbock, TX runs $71.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $147,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,786 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, Lubbock's air traffic controller hourly pay is projected at $71.14, which falls slightly below the national average of $73.02. This pay scale offers a viable opportunity for part-time and per-diem controllers, particularly when considering the demanding environments they work in, such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport traffic control towers. With an hourly range extending from $41.26 for entry-level positions to $108.55 for those at the top of the pay scale, air traffic controllers in Lubbock can find flexible opportunities to balance their work and life commitments. These figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, which indicates the potential for lucrative part-time positions and the ability for workers to take advantage of diverse facility settings that the region offers.
About the Lubbock 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) | $41.26 | $330.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.22 | $409.79 |
| Median (P50) | $71.14 | $569.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.06 | $728.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.55 | $868.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $71.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.14/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $147,977 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,371. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,845.70 | $12,331 | $147,977 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,707.42 | $7,399 | $88,786 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,138.28 | $4,933 | $59,191 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Lubbock) | $71.14 |
| 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 Lubbock, TX earn a median of $147,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% above the Texas state average of $145,782.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.14/hr = $88,786/year (purchasing power: $92,485).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $147,977/year (purchasing power: $154,142).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lubbock grew 20.4% from $57.61/hr (2019) to $69.36/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.97/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
Part-time air traffic controllers working three days a week can expect to earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts due to fewer hours logged. Working a standard 24-hour week, the annual take-home would be substantially lower compared to those engaging in overtime, with many full-time controllers clocking in upwards of 50-60 hours weekly in understaffed facilities. This trend is prevalent in Lubbock where, as a per diem air traffic controller, compensation can be negotiated, especially during facility transfer training periods. A range of employer types exists in Lubbock, from FAA en route centers to military control posts, each of which offers distinct pay scales. Some air traffic controllers might accept lower hourly rates for the benefits offered, while others prefer higher hourly compensation without those perks. Consideration of benefits versus salary becomes critical in negotiations for hourly positions; leveraging the specific context of Lubbock and available employment options can greatly aid controllers in achieving more favorable terms.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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 Lubbock 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