Air Traffic Controller Salary in Deltona, FL: $146,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Deltona, FL earns a median $146,552/year (≈ $70.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Deltona's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.4), that paycheck buys what $147,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Deltona, Florida, is projected to reach a median of $146,552, which reflects a slight decrease of 3.51% compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range for air traffic controllers in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $38,002 and experienced controllers potentially earning up to $190,965. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This compensation structure highlights not only the potential for substantial financial rewards in the role but also the typical timeline for career advancement, as new controllers usually undergo a certification period of 1-3 years, significantly affecting their initial earnings while they develop into full performance capability.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,002 | $18.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,585 | $42.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,552 | $70.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,753 | $75.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,965 | $91.81 |
Median Salary Position
3.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Deltona
In Deltona, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,963 (2026 est.). At $146,552, the local median is 3.51% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Deltona: You'd be above the median
How Deltona Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Deltona median: $146,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Deltona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,591 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -3.51% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Deltona, FL earn a median of $146,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Florida state average of $154,591.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Deltona has a cost of living 0.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Deltona, FL has a cost-of-living index of 99.367 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $146,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,486 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,671
2025 BLS Actual
$142,880
2026 Current Est.
$146,552
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Deltona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,671 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,606 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,318 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Deltona metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $118,671 (2019) to $142,880 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,318 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,647 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Deltona 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) | $38,002 – $87,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,585 – $146,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,552 – $157,753 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,753 – $190,965 |
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 Deltona
In Deltona, approximately 110 air traffic controllers are employed, reflecting the city’s steady demand for these professionals despite ongoing staffing challenges in the national sector. The cost of living index in Deltona stands at 99.367, which is slightly below the national average, meaning the purchasing power for controllers is relatively favorable given their salary figures. The most lucrative employers in the area typically include FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities and major airport traffic control towers, where positions can command higher salaries compared to smaller contract towers. Factors influencing the disparity in pay range from facility levels and CPC certification status to shift differentials and mandatory overtime; thus, controllers aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Deltona FL should actively seek positions in high-traffic environments and take advantage of opportunities for overtime and holiday shifts.
More salary data for Deltona, 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 $142,880 for air traffic controllersin the Deltona 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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