Air Traffic Controller Salary in Boynton Beach, FL: $153,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Boynton Beach, FL earns a median $153,510/year (≈ $73.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Boynton Beach's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $152,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For air traffic controllers in Boynton Beach, Florida, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $153,510, which demonstrates a slight advancement over the national median of $151,886. This figure underscores how the demand for controllers, especially in understaffed facilities leading to 50-60 hour workweeks, can enhance overall compensation through overtime. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $89,036 at the 10th percentile to $218,838 for those at the 90th percentile. These local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity, suggesting that controllers in Boynton Beach generally earn competitive wages influenced by local market conditions.
About the Boynton Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,036 | $42.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,811 | $54.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,429 | $93.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,838 | $105.21 |
Median Salary Position
1.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boynton Beach
In Boynton Beach, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,802 (2026 est.). At $153,510, the local median is 1.07% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boynton Beach: You'd be above the median
How Boynton Beach Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Boynton Beach median: $153,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boynton Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,593 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +1.07% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Boynton Beach, FL earn a median of $153,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the Florida state average of $154,593.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boynton Beach has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boynton Beach, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,510 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,292 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,306
2025 BLS Actual
$149,664
2026 Current Est.
$153,510
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Boynton Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,306 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,665 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,145 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,456 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boynton Beach metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,306 (2019) to $149,664 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,150 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boynton Beach 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) | $89,036 – $112,811 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,811 – $153,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,510 – $195,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,429 – $218,838 |
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 Boynton Beach
With only 12 air traffic controllers currently employed in Boynton Beach, job opportunities can be limited, yet this small workforce reflects a unique local market structure. The cost of living index in Boynton Beach, at 100.8, indicates that daily expenses are slightly above the national average, which may impact take-home purchasing power for air traffic controllers. Facilities within the region, such as FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) or airport traffic control towers (ATCT), generally determine salary variability, with en route centers typically offering higher compensation. Strategies to maximize pay in Boynton Beach require controllers to consider facility levels, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities, including the potential for increased earnings through mandatory overtime given staffing shortages. As budgeting for retirement approaches, understanding how these variables can affect overall compensation becomes crucial for controllers looking to optimize their pay in this particular market.
More salary data for Boynton Beach, 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 $149,664 for air traffic controllersin the Boynton Beach 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 Boynton Beach 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