Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in The Woodlands, TX: $69.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in The Woodlands, TX runs $69.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against The Woodlands's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,301 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for air traffic controllers in The Woodlands, Texas, is projected to be $69.95, just below the national median of $73.02 per hour. This rate can be particularly meaningful for those seeking part-time or per-diem roles in various control settings, such as en route centers and airport traffic control towers. With an hourly range spanning from $40.58 for entry-level positions to $104.10 for top earners, it reflects the diverse earning potential within this field. The hourly figures are estimates derived from annual salaries, providing a framework for controllers who balance their schedules between critical oversight tasks and personal time, whether in windowless control rooms or panoramic towers overseeing bustling airports.
About the The Woodlands 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) | $40.58 | $324.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.37 | $402.98 |
| Median (P50) | $69.95 | $559.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.54 | $716.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.10 | $832.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in The Woodlands
Based on $69.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.95/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in The Woodlands, TX can expect to earn approximately $145,502 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,943. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in The Woodlands.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in The Woodlands
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,798.11 | $12,125 | $145,502 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,678.87 | $7,275 | $87,301 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,119.24 | $4,850 | $58,201 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (The Woodlands) | $69.95 |
| 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 The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $145,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% below the Texas state average of $145,798.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.95/hr = $87,301/year (purchasing power: $90,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,502/year (purchasing power: $151,564).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in The Woodlands grew 20.4% from $56.64/hr (2019) to $68.20/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.75/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 The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands
When considering part-time opportunities, a three-day work schedule (approximately 24 hours weekly) translates to a significantly different earning potential compared to full-time positions. Those working part-time could take home around $109,128 annually, while full-time positions might yield closer to $145,507 for those who often exceed their base pay with regularly available overtime. The per diem air traffic controller pay in The Woodlands typically fluctuates based on demand, especially in understaffed facilities where controllers can work 50-60 hours each week. Some families may choose positions at FAA contract towers or military installations, weighing hourly pay against benefits like health insurance. Salary dynamics vary considerably depending on the employer type, with high-altitude ARTCC positions sometimes offering more favorable compensation than terminal facilities. Controllers can negotiate for higher wages, but they must also consider their overall employment package and training trajectories, particularly if transitioning from a different tier within the FAA workforce.
More salary data for The Woodlands, 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 The Woodlands. 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 The Woodlands 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