Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Murphy, TX: $64.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Murphy, TX runs $64.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Murphy's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,875 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murphy, Texas, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $64.80, which sits below the national median hourly pay of $73.02. This disparity indicates that those working part-time—perhaps a typical schedule of three days a week—can expect to bring home substantial earnings, albeit less than their counterparts in other regions. The hourly pay range in Murphy stretches from $37.69 for entry-level positions to $90.38 for experienced top earners. As controllers navigate busy airspace from various settings, including en route centers and airport control towers, their earning potential varies significantly based on experience, responsibilities, and specific work environments. Understanding these figures is crucial for those entering the field or negotiating salaries, especially since they derive from the projected annual data provided by the BLS.
About the Murphy 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) | $37.69 | $301.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.54 | $380.33 |
| Median (P50) | $64.80 | $518.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.37 | $658.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.38 | $723.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murphy
Based on $64.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.80/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murphy, TX can expect to earn approximately $134,792 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,764. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murphy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murphy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,592.15 | $11,233 | $134,792 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,555.29 | $6,740 | $80,875 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.86 | $4,493 | $53,917 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Murphy) | $64.80 |
| 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 Murphy, TX earn a median of $134,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.25% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.60% below the Texas state average of $145,885.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.80/hr = $80,875/year (purchasing power: $84,245).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,792/year (purchasing power: $140,408).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Murphy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Murphy grew 20.4% from $52.48/hr (2019) to $63.18/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.47/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 Murphy 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 Murphy
Exploring the financial landscape for part-time air traffic controllers in Murphy reveals a marked difference when compared to full-time positions. Typically, a controller working 24 hours a week would see significantly lower annual take-home pay compared to a full-time counterpart, but they still command respectable hourly compensation. Furthermore, the nature of per diem air traffic controller pay in Murphy adds complexity; many workers experience lucrative overtime—paid at 1.5 times the base rate—which can elevate their effective earnings considerably. Given the chronic understaffing within the FAA system, controllers often find themselves clocking 50 to 60 hours weekly, which can lead to annual earnings significantly surpassing routine hourly rates, providing a pathway to additional income through overtime. Additionally, the type of facility influences wage rates; controllers at FAA en route centers often earn more than those at smaller airports with FAA contract towers. For some, the benefits associated with full-time positions weigh heavily against the allure of higher pay without health insurance. Negotiating effectively can be crucial in this context, particularly for those looking to maximize their compensation relative to the varying employer types and their respective compensation structures in Murphy, TX.
More salary data for Murphy, 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 Murphy. 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 Murphy 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