Air Traffic Controller Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $143,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $143,128/year (≈ $68.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $145,308 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sierra Vista, air traffic controller salaries are driven significantly by the long hours often required at understaffed facilities. With a 2026 median annual salary projected at $143,128, controllers in this Arizona city earn less than the national median of $151,886, reflecting a -5.77% wage disparity. Their salaries range from $83,014 at the lowest end (P10) to $202,049 at the top end (P90), indicating considerable variation based on factors such as experience and facility type. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments which take into account the unique economic landscape of Sierra Vista. Valuable insights can be gleaned from understanding that many controllers here may boost their earnings through overtime, making it a vital aspect of compensation in a city challenged by staffing shortages.
About the Sierra Vista Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,014 | $39.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,852 | $49.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,128 | $68.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,975 | $87.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,049 | $97.13 |
Median Salary Position
5.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,035 (2026 est.). At $143,128, the local median is 5.77% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be above the median
How Sierra Vista Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $143,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $149,559 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.77% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $143,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.30% below the Arizona state average of $149,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista 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.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,308 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,899
2025 BLS Actual
$139,542
2026 Current Est.
$143,128
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,043 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,899 (2019) to $139,542 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,908 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $83,014 – $103,852 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,852 – $143,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,128 – $181,975 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,975 – $202,049 |
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 Sierra Vista
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently nine air traffic controllers employed in the Sierra Vista area, a number that reflects the small scale of the region. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, suggesting that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, the purchasing power in Sierra Vista can be slightly more favorable. Controllers working in FAA en route centers generally enjoy the highest pay, followed closely by those in terminal radar approach controls, while pay at airport traffic control towers tends to be lower. The pay spread in Sierra Vista can be attributed to several factors: the level of the facility, the controller's certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime assignments, which is a common occurrence due to chronic staffing issues. For aspiring controllers, targeting positions that offer the potential for mandatory overtime and exploring opportunities at en route facilities can result in maximizing compensation in this market.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, 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 $139,542 for air traffic controllersin the Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista 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