Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lake Forest, CA: $168,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lake Forest, CA earns a median $168,656/year (≈ $81.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lake Forest's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $149,121 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $168,656 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay rate compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range for these controllers is between $97,820 at the 10th percentile and $247,283 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for significant earnings based on experience and certification. It typically takes one to three years to achieve full pay as a certified professional controller (CPC), with developmental controllers earning between 65% to 75% of CPC pay during their training phase. This pathway influences the overall economic dynamics for air traffic controller pay in Lake Forest, given the small market comprised of 14 employed controllers who demonstrate the importance of the local hiring landscape.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,433 | $58.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,656 | $81.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,879 | $103.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,283 | $118.89 |
Median Salary Position
11.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Forest
In Lake Forest, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $149,463 (2026 est.). At $168,656, the local median is 11.04% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Forest Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lake Forest median: $168,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,747 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +11.04% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $168,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.04% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.80% below the California state average of $171,747.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Forest has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Forest, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,656 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,121 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,570
2025 BLS Actual
$164,430
2026 Current Est.
$168,656
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,852 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,549 | Actual |
| 2024 | $199,875 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,990 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Forest metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $136,570 (2019) to $164,430 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,990 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,420 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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) | $97,820 – $121,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,433 – $168,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,656 – $215,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,879 – $247,283 |
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 Forest
The cost of living index in Lake Forest is assessed at 113.1, which surpasses the national average and adds complexity to the take-home pay for air traffic controllers in the area. With competitive employers within various facility types, those at FAA en route centers tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers. Differences in pay can be attributed to factors like facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials, leading to a nuanced wage structure in the market. Maximizing pay potential may involve pursuing opportunities at en route centers, seeking overtime, and staying informed on locality pay adjustments that enhance compensation. As the job market evolves along with a projected growth rate of 2.57% annually, controllers in Lake Forest, CA, can navigate their careers strategically to optimize earnings potential.
More salary data for Lake Forest, 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 $164,430 for air traffic controllersin the Lake Forest 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 Forest 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