Air Traffic Controller Salary in Boca Raton, FL: $154,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Boca Raton, FL earns a median $154,209/year (≈ $74.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Boca Raton's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $152,985 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boca Raton, Florida, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $154,209 in 2026, reflecting a slight premium compared to the national median of $151,886. The projected salary range spans from $89,441 at the 10th percentile to $231,035 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant earnings potential based on experience and certifications. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost-of-living adjustments, underscore the diversity in compensation based on the various facility tiers within the air traffic control system. Given the competitive climate and local employment conditions, air traffic controllers in Boca Raton can leverage these salary trends for upward mobility within their careers.
About the Boca Raton Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,441 | $43.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,209 | $74.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $197,162 | $94.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,035 | $111.07 |
Median Salary Position
1.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boca Raton
In Boca Raton, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,594 (2026 est.). At $154,209, the local median is 1.53% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boca Raton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boca Raton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Boca Raton median: $154,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boca Raton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,518 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +1.53% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Boca Raton, FL earn a median of $154,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.53% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% below the Florida state average of $154,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boca Raton has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boca Raton, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $154,209 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,985 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,871
2025 BLS Actual
$150,345
2026 Current Est.
$154,209
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Boca Raton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,415 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,735 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,759 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boca Raton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,871 (2019) to $150,345 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,301 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boca Raton 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) | $89,441 – $111,030 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,030 – $154,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,209 – $197,162 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $197,162 – $231,035 |
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 Boca Raton
Currently, Boca Raton employs 17 air traffic controllers, contributing to a localized job market where agency staffing and specific facility levels significantly influence pay. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which affects purchasing power for local controllers. Typically, the highest salaries in the region are offered by FAA en route centers, which handle high-altitude traffic more extensively than terminal or tower facilities. Various factors contribute to pay disparities, including the facility type, certification status, shift differentials, and the presence of overtime, all of which are particularly relevant amidst the ongoing challenge of staffing in the FAA. To maximize earning potential in this market, controllers should focus on obtaining certification as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC), aim to work at en route facilities, and explore opportunities for overtime and shift premiums.
More salary data for Boca Raton, FL:
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 $150,345 for air traffic controllersin the Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton 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