Air Traffic Controller Salary in La Mirada, CA: $170,688 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in La Mirada, CA earns a median $170,688/year (≈ $82.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in La Mirada's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $150,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in La Mirada, California, is expected to reach a robust $170,688 annually. The salary range for air traffic controllers in the area is quite broad, from $98,999 at the lower end to as high as $236,582 for experienced professionals. These figures reflect local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments made for regional price variations. The relatively high median salary indicates that La Mirada can offer competitive compensation for air traffic controllers, particularly when compared to the national median of $151,886, suggesting a promising job market for those aspiring to enter this field.
About the La Mirada Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,999 | $47.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,895 | $59.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,688 | $82.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $218,419 | $105.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $236,582 | $113.74 |
Median Salary Position
12.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Mirada
In La Mirada, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,583 (2026 est.). At $170,688, the local median is 12.38% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Mirada: You'd be above the median
How La Mirada Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
La Mirada median: $170,688/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Mirada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,718 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +12.38% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in La Mirada, CA earn a median of $170,688 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the California state average of $171,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Mirada has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Mirada, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,688 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,918 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$138,215
2025 BLS Actual
$166,411
2026 Current Est.
$170,688
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in La Mirada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,812 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,621 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,386 | Actual |
| 2024 | $202,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,411 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,688 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Mirada metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $138,215 (2019) to $166,411 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,859 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Mirada 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) | $98,999 – $122,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,895 – $170,688 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,688 – $218,419 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $218,419 – $236,582 |
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 La Mirada
With ten air traffic controllers currently employed in La Mirada, the local job market is both stable and specialized. The cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are attractive, they must be understood within the context of a higher-than-average cost of living, which can impact purchasing power. Among the key employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the most lucrative positions, followed by terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers. The significant pay variation stems from factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials that can enhance earnings. To maximize pay potential within the La Mirada market, controllers would benefit from seeking positions at higher-tier facilities, maintaining flexible schedules for overtime opportunities, and considering additional certifications that lead to advanced roles within the FAA structure.
More salary data for La Mirada, 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 $166,411 for air traffic controllersin the La Mirada 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 La Mirada 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