Air Traffic Controller Salary in Huntington Beach, CA: $172,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Huntington Beach, CA earns a median $172,382/year (≈ $82.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Huntington Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Huntington Beach, CA is projected to reach a median annual figure of $172,382, which aligns favorably with the national median of $151,886, reflecting a local premium of approximately 13.49%. Salary ranges for this role in the area are substantial, spanning from $99,982 at the 10th percentile to $264,412 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting adjustments for the regional cost of living. Given Huntington Beach's competitive local economy, the potential for earnings is significant, particularly as many controllers advance through the centralized certification process (CPC) over 1 to 3 years, which influences their trajectory toward higher pay rates.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,982 | $48.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,115 | $59.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,382 | $82.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $219,766 | $105.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $264,412 | $127.13 |
Median Salary Position
13.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $164,430 (2026 est.). At $172,382, the local median is 13.49% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Beach Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Huntington Beach median: $172,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,867 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +13.49% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $172,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.49% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% above the California state average of $171,867.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,382 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,416 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,587
2025 BLS Actual
$168,063
2026 Current Est.
$172,382
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,587 | Actual |
| 2020 | $148,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,259 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,919 | Actual |
| 2024 | $204,292 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,063 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington Beach metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $139,587 (2019) to $168,063 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,225 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington Beach 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) | $99,982 – $124,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,115 – $172,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,382 – $219,766 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $219,766 – $264,412 |
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 Huntington Beach
Analysts highlight that Huntington Beach employs around 50 air traffic controllers, a figure that contributes to a focused job market. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries might appear high, the purchasing power of those wages is mitigated by local expenses. Among the major employers, positions in FAA en route centers, such as the Los Angeles Center, often offer the most favorable compensation due to their handling of high-altitude air traffic. The disparity in pay reflects factors like facility type—en route facilities tend to pay more than terminal and tower positions—as well as elements like CPC certification status and shift differentials. Controllers can optimize their earnings by seeking positions at these high-paying facilities and being open to overtime opportunities, which have become a necessity due to ongoing staffing shortages and mandatory overtime within the FAA system.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, 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 $168,063 for air traffic controllersin the Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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