Air Traffic Controller Salary in Westminster, CA: $173,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Westminster, CA earns a median $173,636/year (≈ $83.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Westminster's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,524 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Westminster, California, earn a median annual salary of $173,636, surpassing the national median of $151,886 by approximately 14.32%. This salary reflects not just the skills required for this role, but also the responsibilities associated with different facility tiers such as en route, terminal, and tower positions. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $100,708 at the 10th percentile to $253,723 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing considerable variation based on role, experience, and certification status. These projections are grounded in 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional economic conditions, illustrating Westminster’s competitive job market for air traffic controllers, where expertise is both highly valued and rewarded.
About the Westminster Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,708 | $48.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,017 | $60.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,636 | $83.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $222,254 | $106.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,723 | $121.99 |
Median Salary Position
14.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westminster
In Westminster, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,015 (2026 est.). At $173,636, the local median is 14.32% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westminster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westminster Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Westminster median: $173,636/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westminster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,746 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +14.32% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Westminster, CA earn a median of $173,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.32% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.10% above the California state average of $171,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westminster has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westminster, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,636 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,524 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,602
2025 BLS Actual
$169,285
2026 Current Est.
$173,636
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Westminster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $148,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,188 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,053 | Actual |
| 2024 | $205,777 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,285 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westminster metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $140,602 (2019) to $169,285 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,496 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westminster 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) | $100,708 – $125,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,017 – $173,636 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,636 – $222,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $222,254 – $253,723 |
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 Westminster
The economic environment in Westminster presents a unique scenario for those employed in air traffic control. With 21 air traffic controllers currently working in the area, the job market remains steady despite the overall cost of living index of 113.1, indicating that residents face higher costs than the national average. The compensation landscape in Westminster is influenced largely by the type of facility; for instance, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal TRACONs and airport traffic control towers. Factors such as CPC certification, shift differentials, and the opportunity for overtime contribute to the pay disparity among controllers. To optimize earning potential, controllers in Westminster should consider pursuing certifications, seeking roles in en route centers, and taking advantage of available overtime, particularly as chronic understaffing often leads to increased hours and enhanced income.
More salary data for Westminster, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Westminster?
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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 $169,285 for air traffic controllersin the Westminster 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 Westminster 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