Air Traffic Controller Salary in San Diego, CA: $182,015 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in San Diego, CA earns a median $182,015/year (≈ $87.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $160,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Diego, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is $182,015, which significantly exceeds the national benchmark of $151,886 by approximately 19.84%. With a salary range stretching from $105,568 at the 10th percentile to $275,657 at the 90th percentile, this profession offers considerable earning potential. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the cost of living in the San Diego area, where a cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates higher-than-average expenses. The combination of robust salaries and overtime opportunities—often necessitated by chronic understaffing—creates a compelling financial picture for air traffic controllers in the region, shaping a vibrant job market.
About the San Diego Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,568 | $50.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,051 | $63.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $182,015 | $87.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $232,979 | $112.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $275,657 | $132.53 |
Median Salary Position
19.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $170,089 (2026 est.). At $182,015, the local median is 19.84% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
San Diego median: $182,015/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,712 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +19.84% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in San Diego, CA earn a median of $182,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.84% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 6.00% above the California state average of $171,712.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $182,015 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $160,933 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$147,387
2025 BLS Actual
$177,454
2026 Current Est.
$182,015
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $147,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $156,291 | Actual |
| 2021 | $155,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $158,484 | Actual |
| 2023 | $164,631 | Actual |
| 2024 | $215,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $177,454 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $182,015 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $147,387 (2019) to $177,454 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $186,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,305 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $105,568 – $131,051 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,051 – $182,015 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $182,015 – $232,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $232,979 – $275,657 |
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 Diego
Currently, there are 307 air traffic controllers employed in San Diego, highlighting a strong local presence in this essential profession. However, the cost of living can significantly affect take-home pay, so professionals in this field must consider their net earnings carefully. Among the local employers, en route centers such as the FAA typically offer the highest compensation, followed by terminal facilities and airport control towers. The disparity in pay often arises from factors like facility type and the level of certification held. To optimize earnings, controllers should aim for CPC (Certified Professional Controller) status and take advantage of shift differentials, particularly for night or holiday shifts, as well as mandatory overtime that is frequently available. Understanding these nuances in pay structure and the local job market can greatly enhance a controller’s financial standing in San Diego, CA.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in San Diego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in San Diego?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in San Diego?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $177,454 for air traffic controllersin the San Diego 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 Diego 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