Air Traffic Controller Salary in Yuma, AZ: $150,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Yuma, AZ earns a median $150,748/year (≈ $72.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Yuma's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $153,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Yuma, Arizona, air traffic controllers can anticipate a median salary of $150,748 in 2026, reflecting the impact of frequent overtime due to chronic staffing shortages. The salary spectrum ranges from $87,434 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $213,814 for those earning at the upper tier (P90), illustrating the potential for substantial earnings in this profession. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Given the unique demands of the air traffic control job, effective comp is driven by the willingness to work 50-60 hour weeks that become common in understaffed facilities like those in Yuma. This economic reality provides an incentive for controllers to maximize their hours, translating those efforts into a competitive income in the region.
About the Yuma Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,434 | $42.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,129 | $52.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,748 | $72.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,261 | $91.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,814 | $102.80 |
Median Salary Position
0.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yuma
In Yuma, AZ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,380 (2026 est.). At $150,748, the local median is 0.75% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yuma: You'd be above the median
How Yuma Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Yuma median: $150,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yuma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $149,552 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.75% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Yuma, AZ earn a median of $150,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.75% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% above the Arizona state average of $149,552.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yuma 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.
Yuma, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,748 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,069
2025 BLS Actual
$146,971
2026 Current Est.
$150,748
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Yuma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,443 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,778 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,966 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yuma metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $122,069 (2019) to $146,971 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,553 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yuma 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) | $87,434 – $110,129 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,129 – $150,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,748 – $191,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,261 – $213,814 |
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 Yuma
The local air traffic controller job market in Yuma consists of 24 skilled professionals, with a cost-of-living index at 98.5, implying that salaries can stretch further compared to national averages. Pay tends to vary significantly, with the highest offers typically coming from FAA en route centers. Other facilities such as terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers provide competitive salaries too, though often at lower pay grades. The discrepancy between low and high pay is driven by factors such as facility level—where en route centers rank higher than tower positions—and the air traffic controller's certification status as a fully certified professional controller. Strategic choices like seeking developmental positions that lead to CPC status, exploiting night and holiday shift differentials, or leveraging overtime opportunities can significantly enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Yuma, AZ, understanding these dynamics and how to navigate them is essential for career advancement and earning potential.
More salary data for Yuma, 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 $146,971 for air traffic controllersin the Yuma 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 Yuma 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