Air Traffic Controller Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $96,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $96,679/year (≈ $46.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $85,481 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 43.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in San Bernardino, California, are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $96,679, significantly below the national average of $151,886. The salary range is projected to span from $56,074 at the 10th percentile to $149,853 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the disparity in earnings based on experience and facility type. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. Given that San Bernardino serves as a regional air traffic hub, controllers operating at en route Level 12 facilities can expect higher compensation than their colleagues at terminal or tower facilities, aligning closely with their responsibilities managing traffic at higher altitudes and longer distances.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,074 | $26.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,609 | $33.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,679 | $46.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,750 | $59.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,853 | $72.05 |
Median Salary Position
36.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,779 (2026 est.). At $96,679, the local median is 36.35% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $96,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,722 | -43.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -36.35% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $96,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.35% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 43.70% below the California state average of $171,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,679 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,481 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,287
2025 BLS Actual
$94,257
2026 Current Est.
$96,679
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,287 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,016 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,589 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $209,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,257 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $78,287 (2019) to $94,257 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,877 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $56,074 – $69,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,609 – $96,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,679 – $123,750 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,750 – $149,853 |
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 San Bernardino
The job market for air traffic controllers in San Bernardino consists of approximately 33 professionals, indicating a niche but stable employment environment for this role. The cost of living index for the area stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are decent, they may not fully reflect the purchasing power needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, those in en route centers and FAA terminal radar approach controls typically offer better pay than airport traffic control towers. Factors influencing earnings can include the level of certification held—certified professional controllers (CPC) earn significantly more than developmental controllers—and various shift differentials that can enhance base pay. With chronic understaffing leading to mandatory overtime, controllers are often in a position to maximize their salary through additional hours. In this competitive environment, pursuing CPC certification, negotiating shift differentials, and actively seeking overtime opportunities are effective strategies for enhancing air traffic controller pay in San Bernardino, CA.
More salary data for San Bernardino, 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 $94,257 for air traffic controllersin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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