Air Traffic Controller Salary in Union City, CA: $172,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Union City, CA earns a median $172,167/year (≈ $82.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, compensation for air traffic controllers in Union City, California, reaches a significant median of $172,167 annually, with a salary range extending from $99,857 at the 10th percentile to a remarkable $242,321 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, reflect the local economic landscape where chronic understaffing at facilities can lead to extensive overtime hours—typically 50-60 per week. This reality effectively drives up overall compensation, making positions in Union City particularly lucrative compared to the national median of $151,886, suggesting a competitive advantage for controllers in this region.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,857 | $48.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,653 | $59.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,167 | $82.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $217,312 | $104.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $242,321 | $116.50 |
Median Salary Position
13.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,464 (2026 est.). At $172,167, the local median is 13.35% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be above the median
How Union City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Union City median: $172,167/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,823 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +13.35% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Union City, CA earn a median of $172,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.35% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% above the California state average of $171,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,167 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,225 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,413
2025 BLS Actual
$167,853
2026 Current Est.
$172,167
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,835 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,075 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $204,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,853 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $139,413 (2019) to $167,853 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,179 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $99,857 – $124,653 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,653 – $172,167 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,167 – $217,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $217,312 – $242,321 |
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 Union City
The local job market features 11 air traffic controllers, highlighting a unique blend of opportunity amid a cost-of-living index at 113.1, which slightly surpasses the national average. This context not only influences take-home pay but also home affordability. Among various employers, the FAA en route centers generally offer the highest air traffic controller pay in Union City CA, often tied to the facility's complexity and the controller's certification status. Strategies for maximizing earnings include pursuing positions at higher tier facilities—en route centers often yielding more than terminal or tower jobs—gaining Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status for enhanced pay, and making optimal use of shift differentials and mandatory overtime. With the FAA’s longstanding staffing challenges, controllers who engage proactively in training and opportunities likely position themselves for even greater compensation over time.
More salary data for Union City, 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 $167,853 for air traffic controllersin the Union City 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 Union City 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