Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in St. George, UT: $69.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in St. George, UT runs $69.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against St. George's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,352 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In St. George, Utah, the median hourly pay for air traffic controllers is projected to be $69.99 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $73.02. This figure reflects the earnings potential for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis in various environments—such as en route centers, TRACONs, and control towers. For those who opt for a part-time schedule of three 8-hour days weekly, compensation can equate to a substantial income, provided they remain aware of the variability in shifts and facility demands. Entry-level air traffic controllers earn around $40.60 per hour, while top earners can make up to $104.50. Even within St. George, the specific settings—often characterized by their unique operational pressures—can significantly influence the precise hourly rate, which is derived from annual salary assumptions.
Taking a closer look at part-time opportunities, an air traffic controller working three days a week would potentially take home around $54,000 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts, who could earn upwards of $145,580 annually. Many controllers working in understaffed facilities often accumulate overtime, typically paid at 1.5 times their base pay, pushing their overall hourly compensation much higher—sometimes resulting in incomes surpassing $200,000 when factoring in overtime earnings. The variations in pay rates across different employer types in St. George, such as FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and military installations, can impact job satisfaction and benefits. Controllers must weigh the trade-offs between an attractive hourly rate and the associated benefits package, as some may opt for positions with lower base pay but better health insurance. For those negotiating hourly wages, understanding the local job market and facility demands can empower them to achieve optimal compensation tailored to their career goals in the air traffic control profession.
About the St. George Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.60 | $324.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.39 | $403.14 |
| Median (P50) | $69.99 | $559.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.58 | $716.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.50 | $835.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. George
Based on $69.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.99/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. George, UT can expect to earn approximately $145,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,993. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. George.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. George
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,799.75 | $12,132 | $145,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,679.85 | $7,279 | $87,352 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,119.90 | $4,853 | $58,235 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (St. George) | $69.99 |
| 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 St. George, UT earn a median of $145,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.30% below the Utah state average of $149,007.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.99/hr = $87,352/year (purchasing power: $89,044).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,587/year (purchasing power: $148,407).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. George (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. George grew 20.4% from $56.68/hr (2019) to $68.24/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.79/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 St. George 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.
More salary data for St. George, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in St. George in 2026?
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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 St. George. 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 St. George 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