Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $171,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $171,255/year (≈ $82.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,419 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Lake Elsinore, California, can expect a median annual salary of $171,255, which represents a notable 12.75% increase compared to the national median of $151,886 for that year. The salary range ranges from $99,328 for the lower 10th percentile to $255,889 for the top 90th percentile, reflecting the different levels of responsibility across en route facilities, terminal control, and tower positions. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that controllers in this area earn competitive wages that reflect Lake Elsinore’s own unique market dynamics and demand for skilled personnel in air traffic management.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,328 | $47.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,303 | $59.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,255 | $82.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,323 | $103.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $255,889 | $123.02 |
Median Salary Position
12.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $156,561 (2026 est.). At $171,255, the local median is 12.75% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $171,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,770 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +12.75% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $171,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.75% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.30% below the California state average of $171,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,255 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,419 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$138,674
2025 BLS Actual
$166,964
2026 Current Est.
$171,255
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,674 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,296 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $202,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,964 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,656 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $138,674 (2019) to $166,964 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,982 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $99,328 – $123,303 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,303 – $171,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,255 – $215,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,323 – $255,889 |
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 Lake Elsinore
With just 18 air traffic controllers employed locally, Lake Elsinore's market offers a compelling snapshot of job security amidst ongoing industry challenges. The cost of living index in Lake Elsinore stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries appear attractive, they must also be weighed against the local purchasing power. Among the various facilities, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay, especially for fully certified controllers, while terminal and tower positions generally provide lower compensation. The differential in pay often correlates with factors such as facility type, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the significant potential for overtime, especially in the wake of staffing shortages. To optimize earnings in Lake Elsinore, controllers should explore opportunities for advancement and seek en route assignments, which increasingly demand their share of overtime due to high traffic volumes.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, 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 $166,964 for air traffic controllersin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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