Air Traffic Controller Salary in Chino, CA: $173,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Chino, CA earns a median $173,690/year (≈ $83.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Chino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,572 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Chino, California, can expect a median annual salary of $173,690, which reflects a competitive 14.36% increase over the national average of $151,886. The salary range here spans from $100,740 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $247,132 at the 90th percentile. This variation is shaped largely by overtime opportunities, which are common in understaffed facilities. As controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, their total compensation can significantly increase beyond the base salary. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments provide a nuanced understanding of the job market, highlighting Chino’s attractive earning potential amid the broader economic context.
About the Chino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,740 | $48.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,056 | $60.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,690 | $83.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,235 | $106.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,132 | $118.82 |
Median Salary Position
14.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino
In Chino, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,392 (2026 est.). At $173,690, the local median is 14.36% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino: You'd be above the median
How Chino Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Chino median: $173,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,800 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +14.36% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Chino, CA earn a median of $173,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.36% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.10% above the California state average of $171,800.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,690 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,572 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,646
2025 BLS Actual
$169,338
2026 Current Est.
$173,690
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,646 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,143 | Actual |
| 2021 | $148,377 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,235 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $205,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,154 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $140,646 (2019) to $169,338 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,154 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,508 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino 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) | $100,740 – $125,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,056 – $173,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,690 – $221,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,235 – $247,132 |
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 Chino
With 17 air traffic controllers currently employed in Chino, the job market demonstrates a solid foundation while facing the realities of a cost-of-living index of 113.1, indicating that living expenses exceed the national average. The bulk of air traffic controller pay in Chino is primarily influenced by the type of facility; en route centers typically offer the highest compensation. Controllers holding CPC certification or operating at terminal and control tower levels have varying pay structures, dictated by factors such as shift differentials, overtime availability, and locality pay. To maximize earnings, potential candidates should aim for positions at facilities that manage high-altitude traffic. Additionally, pursuing overtime hours and taking advantage of differentials for night and holiday shifts can markedly enhance overall compensation, making strategic career decisions essential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Chino, 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 $169,338 for air traffic controllersin the Chino 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 Chino 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