Air Traffic Controller Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $171,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $171,799/year (≈ $82.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,900 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in Santa Cruz, CA, is notably competitive, with a projected median annual salary of $171,799 for 2026. This reflects a substantial increase compared to the national median of $151,886, positioning Santa Cruz's pay about 13.11% higher than the national average. The salary range for controllers in the area spans from $99,644 at the 10th percentile to $258,240 at the 90th percentile. This range indicates not just the potential for high earnings but also highlights the developmental phase many controllers enter before achieving full certification status. Aspiring controllers can expect to move from developmental pay, which typically sits between 65-75% of certified pay, into more lucrative positions as they gain experience and progress in their careers.
About the Santa Cruz Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,644 | $47.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,941 | $59.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,799 | $82.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $216,402 | $104.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $258,240 | $124.15 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,596 (2026 est.). At $171,799, the local median is 13.11% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $171,799/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $151,886 | +13.11% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $171,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% higher than the national median of $151,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,799 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,900 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,115
2025 BLS Actual
$167,494
2026 Current Est.
$171,799
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,761 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,391 | Actual |
| 2024 | $203,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,494 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $139,115 (2019) to $167,494 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,099 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $99,644 – $123,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,941 – $171,799 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,799 – $216,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $216,402 – $258,240 |
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 Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz has an active job market with 12 air traffic controllers currently employed, underscoring a relatively tight community of professionals. Given the cost of living index at 113.1, this translates into significant implications for real purchasing power—making the high salaries attractive for newcomers and established controllers alike. Those seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Santa Cruz CA can look to FAA en route centers, which typically offer higher compensation compared to terminal Radars and control towers. Additionally, the differences in pay across various facility levels can drive earnings; controllers working at en route facilities can expect substantial overtime and shift differentials that further enhance their salaries. Familiarizing oneself with the local market dynamics, alongside the continual demand for controllers due to staffing shortages, can provide valuable insight for those exploring how much do air traffic controllers make in Santa Cruz.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Santa Cruz?
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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 $167,494 for air traffic controllersin the Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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