Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $58.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $58.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,294 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,374 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $58.79, which falls significantly below the national average of $73.02. This discrepancy highlights the diverse earning potential in various settings, such as radar consoles at en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers. For part-time controllers working three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into approximately $4,226 monthly, offering decent pay while enjoying a flexible schedule. Entry-level positions command around $41.79 per hour, while more experienced controllers may earn up to $73.33 per hour, indicating that even within a single location, there is a wide gap between entry-level opportunities and top earners in the field. These figures are derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.79 | $334.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.24 | $401.91 |
| Median (P50) | $58.79 | $470.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.45 | $515.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.33 | $586.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $58.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.79/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $122,290 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,552. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,351.72 | $10,191 | $122,290 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,411.03 | $6,114 | $73,374 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $940.69 | $4,076 | $48,916 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Virginia Beach) | $58.79 |
| 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 Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $122,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.48% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 22.00% below the Virginia state average of $156,787.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.79/hr = $73,374/year (purchasing power: $74,916).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,290/year (purchasing power: $124,861).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Virginia Beach grew 29.6% from $44.24/hr (2019) to $57.32/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.30/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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
The potential earnings for part-time air traffic controllers in Virginia Beach can be quite lucrative, especially considering a standard workweek of 24 hours would yield around $112,032 annually before taxes. However, many controllers opt for per diem assignments, often receiving significantly higher pay in understaffed facilities. The reality of working overtime can push earnings well beyond the base hourly rate, with some controllers logging 50-60 hours per week and accumulating $50,000 to $100,000 in yearly overtime. This makes the per diem air traffic controller pay in Virginia Beach attractive for those looking to maximize their income. Hourly rates can vary widely depending on the employer, with different compensation structures for FAA en route centers, terminal facilities, and military operations. The trade-off between hourly pay and benefits is also crucial; controllers working for FAA contract towers might accept lower rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance. Understanding these dynamics can help current and aspiring controllers effectively negotiate their positions in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
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 Virginia Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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