Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Falls Church, VA: $69.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Falls Church, VA runs $69.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,530 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Falls Church's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,712 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Falls Church, Virginia, air traffic controllers command a median hourly pay of $69.48, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $73.02. This pay structure reflects the crucial role controllers play at various types of facilities, such as en route centers, TRACONs, and airport towers. Given the demands of the job, part-time controllers working three days a week might enjoy a steady income while balancing their professional and personal lives. The hourly pay offers a spectrum for workers in this profession; entry-level controllers earn around $40.30, while seasoned professionals at the top of their field can command up to $94.35 per hour. These rates are projected based on annual salary data and reveal how competitive the air traffic controller hourly rate in VA can be.
About the Falls Church Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.30 | $322.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.75 | $406.01 |
| Median (P50) | $69.48 | $555.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.54 | $692.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.35 | $754.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Falls Church
Based on $69.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.48/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Falls Church, VA can expect to earn approximately $144,520 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,377. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Falls Church.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Falls Church
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,779.24 | $12,043 | $144,520 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,667.54 | $7,226 | $86,712 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,111.69 | $4,817 | $57,808 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Falls Church) | $69.48 |
| 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 Falls Church, VA earn a median of $144,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.84% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.80% below the Virginia state average of $156,757.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.48/hr = $86,712/year (purchasing power: $84,023).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,520/year (purchasing power: $140,039).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Falls Church (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Falls Church grew 20.4% from $56.26/hr (2019) to $67.74/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.27/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 Falls Church 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 Falls Church
For those considering part-time roles, working as an air traffic controller for 24 hours a week could yield annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts, without the perks that might come with being a permanent employee. The flexibility of per-diem air traffic controller pay in Falls Church creates unique earning opportunities, especially when agency work or overtime is considered. Controllers may often find themselves clocking in extra hours during busy periods, with overtime pay typically at 1.5 times their base rate, allowing some to exceed their projected earnings significantly. Different employer types, such as FAA en route centers and military air traffic control, can also lead to notable variances in compensation due to funding and operational differences. While some controllers might opt for lower hourly rates linked to benefits, others may prefer higher pay without such coverage, making negotiation skills particularly valuable in this competitive field.
More salary data for Falls Church, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Falls Church in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Falls Church?
Are air traffic controllers in Falls Church paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Falls Church?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Falls Church?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Falls Church. 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 Falls Church 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