Air Traffic Controller Salary in Sacramento, CA: $201,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Sacramento, CA earns a median $201,335/year (≈ $96.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $188,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, California, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $201,335 in 2026, which significantly outpaces the national median of $151,886 by approximately 32.56%. The salaries for this profession range from $82,887 at the 10th percentile to $231,480 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the compensation framework of air traffic controllers working at different facility tiers—en route, terminal, and control tower—which plays a crucial role in salary levels. With skill and experience guiding earnings, the distinctions between these tiers can lead to markedly different pay scales, making Sacramento an appealing market for those in the air traffic control field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,887 | $39.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $144,716 | $69.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $201,335 | $96.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,879 | $102.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,480 | $111.29 |
Median Salary Position
32.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,593 (2026 est.). At $201,335, the local median is 32.56% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Sacramento Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $201,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,787 | +17.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +32.56% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $201,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.56% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 17.20% above the California state average of $171,787.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $201,335 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $188,746 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$150,230
2025 BLS Actual
$196,290
2026 Current Est.
$201,335
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $150,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $163,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $171,992 | Actual |
| 2022 | $174,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $182,106 | Actual |
| 2024 | $192,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $196,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $201,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $206,509 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 30.7% from $150,230 (2019) to $196,290 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $206,509 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,279 (37.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $82,887 – $144,716 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $144,716 – $201,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $201,335 – $213,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,879 – $231,480 |
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 Sacramento
With around 240 air traffic controllers employed in the Sacramento area, the local job market is robust, but potential controllers must also consider the cost of living, with a cost of living index of 106.67 indicating above-average expenses. This calculation suggests that while salaries might seem high, effective purchasing power could feel limited by housing and other costs. Among local employers, those in FAA en route centers typically offer the most competitive wages, reflecting the greater responsibilities of managing high-altitude traffic. Variations in pay stem from factors such as facility tier level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of mandatory overtime. For aspiring air traffic controllers in Sacramento, strategies to maximize pay may include pursuing relocation to higher-tier facilities or seeking additional training to attain CPC certification, which can significantly enhance earning potential in this dynamic and essential field.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $196,290 for air traffic controllersin the Sacramento 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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