Air Traffic Controller Salary in Daly City, CA: $176,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Daly City, CA earns a median $176,311/year (≈ $84.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $176,311 in 2026, air traffic controllers in Daly City, California, command a robust compensation compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range extends from $102,260 at the 10th percentile to as high as $254,498 for the 90th percentile, reflecting significant pay differences based on facility type and experience levels. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the lucrative opportunities available in this area, particularly for controllers working within en route Level 12 facilities, which traditionally offer higher salaries than terminal and tower positions. In Daly City, the job market supports the employment of 20 air traffic controllers, making it a niche yet competitive field.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,260 | $49.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,944 | $61.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,311 | $84.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $225,578 | $108.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $254,498 | $122.36 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,238 (2026 est.). At $176,311, the local median is 16.08% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Daly City median: $176,311/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,843 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +16.08% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Daly City, CA earn a median of $176,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% above the California state average of $171,843.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,311 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,889 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,768
2025 BLS Actual
$171,893
2026 Current Est.
$176,311
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,768 | Actual |
| 2020 | $151,393 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,517 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,472 | Actual |
| 2024 | $208,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,842 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $142,768 (2019) to $171,893 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,842 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,074 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $102,260 – $126,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,944 – $176,311 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,311 – $225,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $225,578 – $254,498 |
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 Daly City
Examining air traffic controller pay in Daly City, CA, reveals that local salaries must be weighed against a cost of living index of 113.1, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average. This reality impacts overall purchasing power, as controllers must manage housing and day-to-day costs that can erode take-home income. High-paying employers in the area include FAA terminal radar approach control facilities, which handle traffic in critical airspace, as well as military air traffic control positions. Pay disparities often arise from factors such as facility tier, CPC certification status, and additional remuneration for night shifts or overtime. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, aligning with FAA en route centers, particularly at the CPC level, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities can be effective strategies in this market. Additionally, adapting to the demands of a historically understaffed sector, where controllers are frequently required to work beyond their typical schedules, can lead to increased earnings while navigating the realities of potential mandatory retirement at age 56.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $171,893 for air traffic controllersin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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