Air Traffic Controller Salary in Concord, CA: $176,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Concord, CA earns a median $176,117/year (≈ $84.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Concord's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Concord, California, can expect a median annual salary of $176,117 in 2026, which is significantly above the national median of $151,886. This compensation reflects not only the responsibilities of managing air traffic efficiently but also the reality of working in an understaffed environment where many controllers clock 50-60 hour weeks. The salary range varies widely, from $102,147 for the lowest tenth percentile to $260,369 for those in the top percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, indicate a robust earning potential that underscores the demand for skilled professionals in this field, especially in a city like Concord where air traffic control is a critical career.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,147 | $49.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,804 | $60.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,117 | $84.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $225,429 | $108.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $260,369 | $125.18 |
Median Salary Position
15.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,222 (2026 est.). At $176,117, the local median is 15.95% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Concord median: $176,117/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,821 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +15.95% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Concord, CA earn a median of $176,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.95% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.50% above the California state average of $171,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Concord, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,117 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,718 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$142,611
2025 BLS Actual
$171,704
2026 Current Est.
$176,117
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $151,227 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,349 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,297 | Actual |
| 2024 | $208,716 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,704 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,643 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $142,611 (2019) to $171,704 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,643 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,032 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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) | $102,147 – $126,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,804 – $176,117 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,117 – $225,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $225,429 – $260,369 |
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 Concord
Currently, there are 29 air traffic controllers employed in Concord, CA, which highlights a competitive job market despite the high local cost of living with a cost-of-living index of 113.1. Higher pay in this sector is typically associated with positions at FAA en route centers compared to terminal facilities and control towers. Factors contributing to the salary disparity include the tier levels of facilities and the certificate status of controllers. For example, those at Level 12 en route facilities usually earn more than those at Level 7 towers. Strategy-wise, controllers looking to maximize their compensation should consider working overtime, which has become common due to chronic staffing shortages. Additionally, pursuing CPC certification to qualify for developmental pay, shift differentials, and locality pay are key steps for enhancing their overall air traffic controller pay in Concord.
More salary data for Concord, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Concord, CA in 2026?
Is Concord, CA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Concord?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Concord?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Concord?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $171,704 for air traffic controllersin the Concord 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 Concord 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