Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Lake Stevens, WA: $75.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Lake Stevens, WA runs $75.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,769 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Lake Stevens's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,661 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Stevens, Washington, air traffic controllers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $75.85, which is slightly above the national median of $73.02. This competitive pay can significantly impact the decision for part-time controllers who may want to work three days a week. For those engaged in per-diem roles, such as seasonal staffing at TRACON facilities or airport towers, this hourly rate presents an attractive income. Entry-level controllers will typically start around $44.14 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can earn as much as $104.00 per hour in 2026. The hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the varied responsibilities in different environments, whether monitoring high-altitude traffic in en route centers or directing departures in bustling airport towers.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.14 | $353.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.03 | $448.27 |
| Median (P50) | $75.85 | $606.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.56 | $756.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.00 | $831.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Stevens
Based on $75.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.85/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Stevens, WA can expect to earn approximately $157,769 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,021. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Stevens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Stevens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,034.02 | $13,147 | $157,769 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,820.41 | $7,888 | $94,661 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,213.61 | $5,259 | $63,108 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Lake Stevens) | $75.85 |
| 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 Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $157,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.87% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $163,153.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.85/hr = $94,661/year (purchasing power: $88,139).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,769/year (purchasing power: $146,899).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lake Stevens grew 20.4% from $61.42/hr (2019) to $73.95/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.80/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 Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
When analyzing the potential earnings for a part-time air traffic controller working 24 hours a week, one could expect to take home approximately $59,401 annually, a respectable figure compared to full-timers. Per-diem air traffic controller pay in Lake Stevens plays a pivotal role in compensation, especially given the potential for overtime, which often allows controllers to earn significantly more. Controllers frequently report working 50-60 hours a week due to chronic understaffing, translating into overtime of 1.5 times their base rates, potentially boosting earnings by $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Additionally, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the type of employer—FAA en route centers and TRACONs typically offer higher compensation than smaller contracted towers. While some may opt for positions with slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others pursue higher pay without benefits. Negotiating for better hourly rates or additional work hours is essential in this industry, especially in a market like Lake Stevens where the demand for skilled controllers is on the rise.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens 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