Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tempe, AZ: $150,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tempe, AZ earns a median $150,239/year (≈ $72.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $152,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controller pay in Tempe, AZ, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $150,239, slightly below the national median of $151,886. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data indicate a salary range from $87,139 at the 10th percentile to $215,737 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied levels of experience and facility type. Controllers typically undergo a certification period of 1 to 3 years as developmental employees, where they earn a reduced salary that can constitute 65-75% of the certified professional controller (CPC) pay. This trajectory toward higher earnings, combined with Tempe's specific job market dynamics, highlights the potential for substantial growth and earnings resilience for air traffic controllers in the city.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,139 | $41.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,172 | $52.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,239 | $72.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,552 | $92.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,737 | $103.72 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,598 (2026 est.). At $150,239, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tempe Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tempe median: $150,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $149,641 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.08% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $150,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $149,641.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe 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.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,657
2025 BLS Actual
$146,475
2026 Current Est.
$150,239
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,344 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,817 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,657 (2019) to $146,475 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,444 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $87,139 – $108,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,172 – $150,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,239 – $191,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,552 – $215,737 |
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 Tempe
Air traffic controllers in Tempe benefit from a local job market that currently employs 43 professionals in this critical role. The cost of living index reflects a favorable environment at 98.5, which translates into a stronger purchasing power compared to many other regions. The top-paying employers in the area often include FAA en route centers and terminal control facilities, which usually offer higher compensation than tower facilities. The salary differentials arise from multiple factors including facility tiers, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the frequent availability of overtime due to staffing shortages. Given the chronic understaffing challenges in air traffic control, controllers who can maximize earnings through overtime and those seeking positions in higher-tier facilities will find the Tempe job market compelling, especially as the field remains poised for potential growth over the next several years.
More salary data for Tempe, 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 $146,475 for air traffic controllersin the Tempe 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 Tempe 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