Air Traffic Controller Salary in Oakland, CA: $202,843 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Oakland, CA earns a median $202,843/year (≈ $97.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Oakland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $179,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Oakland, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $202,843, significantly higher than the national median of $151,886. This salary reflects a considerable local premium, with a salary range extending from $117,649 at the lower end to $311,972 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, indicating the importance of context in understanding air traffic controller pay in Oakland, CA. The increasing demand for air traffic controllers, driven by chronic understaffing and a 2.57% annual growth rate, suggests that the earnings potential in this field is both robust and competitive, making Oakland a lucrative market for current and aspiring controllers.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $117,649 | $56.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $146,047 | $70.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $202,843 | $97.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $259,640 | $124.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $311,972 | $149.99 |
Median Salary Position
33.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland
In Oakland, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $194,323 (2026 est.). At $202,843, the local median is 33.55% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakland Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Oakland median: $202,843/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,756 | +18.10% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +33.55% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Oakland, CA earn a median of $202,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.55% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 18.10% above the California state average of $171,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $202,843 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $179,348 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$164,253
2025 BLS Actual
$197,761
2026 Current Est.
$202,843
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $164,253 | Actual |
| 2020 | $174,176 | Actual |
| 2021 | $173,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $176,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $183,471 | Actual |
| 2024 | $218,624 | Actual |
| 2025 | $197,761 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $202,843 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $208,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $164,253 (2019) to $197,761 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $208,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,804 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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) | $117,649 – $146,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $146,047 – $202,843 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $202,843 – $259,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $259,640 – $311,972 |
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 Oakland
With 78 air traffic controllers employed in the area, the job market in Oakland is both stable and inviting for those looking to enter this profession. However, the elevated cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, impacts take-home purchasing power for local professionals. In Oakland, higher salaries are often found at FAA en route centers, which manage high-altitude traffic, compared to terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers. Factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and overtime availability drive the disparities in pay; for instance, en route centers typically offer higher base salaries and better overtime opportunities. To maximize earnings, aspiring air traffic controllers should focus on en route positions, seek CPC certification as early as possible, and be open to working nights, weekends, and holidays, as these shifts often yield substantial pay differentials in this demanding and rewarding career path.
More salary data for Oakland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $197,761 for air traffic controllersin the Oakland 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 Oakland 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