Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brentwood, CA: $171,350 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Brentwood, CA earns a median $171,350/year (≈ $82.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,503 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $171,350 for air traffic controllers in Brentwood, California, the financial incentives of this role are compelling. The salary range extends from $99,383 to $256,662, reflecting the disparity influenced by factors such as experience, facility type, and staffing levels. The competitive compensation is further enhanced by the dynamics of the local market, where many positions require controllers to work 50-60 hour weeks due to chronic understaffing, creating opportunities for significant overtime pay. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that Brentwood's air traffic controller salaries exceed the national median of $151,886 by 12.81%, underscoring its attractiveness as a career choice for both new and experienced controllers in the Bay Area.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,383 | $47.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,372 | $59.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,350 | $82.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $219,045 | $105.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $256,662 | $123.39 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $157,279 (2026 est.). At $171,350, the local median is 12.81% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $171,350/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,866 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +12.81% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $171,350 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% below the California state average of $171,866.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,350 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,503 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$138,752
2025 BLS Actual
$167,057
2026 Current Est.
$171,350
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,134 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,986 | Actual |
| 2024 | $203,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,350 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $138,752 (2019) to $167,057 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,002 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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) | $99,383 – $123,372 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,372 – $171,350 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,350 – $219,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $219,045 – $256,662 |
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 Brentwood
In Brentwood, the job market for air traffic controllers is relatively robust, with 13 positions currently filled, suggesting a stable demand for skilled professionals in this field. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are high, living expenses are also above the national average. Employment at FAA en route centers tends to offer the highest compensation, particularly for those handling high-altitude traffic, while FAA terminal facilities and airports also provide competitive pay levels. The wage variance is driven by factors such as facility tier designation, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers can maximize their pay through strategic choices: seeking higher-tier facilities, accumulating overtime, and considering roles that offer higher locality premiums. With careful navigation of these factors, air traffic controllers in Brentwood can significantly enhance their effective take-home earnings.
More salary data for Brentwood, CA:
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 $167,057 for air traffic controllersin the Brentwood 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 Brentwood 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