Air Traffic Controller Salary in Glendale, AZ: $157,110 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Glendale, AZ earns a median $157,110/year (≈ $75.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Glendale's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $159,503 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Glendale, Arizona, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers is set at $157,110 for 2026, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $151,886; this represents an increase of 3.44%. The salary range in this area spans from $91,123 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $234,560 at the 90th percentile (P90), indicating significant pay potential depending on experience and facility tier. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, present an encouraging picture for future air traffic controller pay in Glendale AZ. Given the various facility tiers in air traffic control—en route, terminal, and tower—those stationed in high-tier facilities generally see higher wages. This tier differentiation, particularly at en route centers, significantly influences overall compensation trends in this market.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,123 | $43.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,119 | $54.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,110 | $75.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,100 | $96.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,560 | $112.77 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glendale
In Glendale, AZ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $143,437 (2026 est.). At $157,110, the local median is 3.44% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Glendale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Glendale Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Glendale median: $157,110/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glendale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $149,628 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +3.44% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Glendale, AZ earn a median of $157,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 5.00% above the Arizona state average of $149,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glendale has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glendale, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $157,110 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $159,503 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,220
2025 BLS Actual
$153,173
2026 Current Est.
$157,110
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,799 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,110 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glendale metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $127,220 (2019) to $153,173 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,927 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $91,123 – $113,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,119 – $157,110 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,110 – $201,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,100 – $234,560 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Glendale
Currently, Glendale is home to 50 employed air traffic controllers, which establishes a foundational job market for prospective candidates. With a cost of living index of 98.5, take-home purchasing power is bolstered, allowing controllers to enjoy relatively affordable living compared to national standards. Compensation tends to vary within the local landscape, with FAA en route centers typically offering the highest pay, followed by terminal facilities and airport traffic control towers. The spread between low and high pay is driven by factors including facility level, CPC certification status, and available shift differentials, which incentivize work during nights and holidays. To maximize earnings, controllers in Glendale should seek to advance to en route levels, pursue CPC certification, and consider overtime opportunities, especially given the current staffing challenges in the industry that have led to increased demands for scheduling flexibility.
More salary data for Glendale, AZ:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $153,173 for air traffic controllersin the Glendale metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Glendale 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