Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lauderhill, FL: $150,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lauderhill, FL earns a median $150,560/year (≈ $72.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lauderhill's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $149,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a median annual salary of $150,560 in Lauderhill, air traffic controllers find themselves in a competitive pay environment, especially when considering similar roles across the nation, where the median is $151,886. The projected salary range for 2026 spans from $87,325 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $218,391 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors in Florida. Controllers in Lauderhill operate within a unique market, with positions available at various facility tiers, including FAA en route centers and terminal radar control, which influence earning potential significantly.
About the Lauderhill Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,325 | $41.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,403 | $52.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,560 | $72.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,718 | $92.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,391 | $104.99 |
Median Salary Position
0.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lauderhill
In Lauderhill, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,066 (2026 est.). At $150,560, the local median is 0.87% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lauderhill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lauderhill Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lauderhill median: $150,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lauderhill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,580 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.87% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lauderhill, FL earn a median of $150,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.87% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% below the Florida state average of $154,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lauderhill has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lauderhill, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,560 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,365 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,917
2025 BLS Actual
$146,788
2026 Current Est.
$150,560
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lauderhill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,917 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,282 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,618 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,096 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lauderhill metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,917 (2019) to $146,788 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,513 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lauderhill 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) | $87,325 – $108,403 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,403 – $150,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,560 – $192,718 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,718 – $218,391 |
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 Lauderhill
In Lauderhill, Florida, the job market for air traffic controllers is anchored by the presence of approximately 19 employed in the area. While this may seem limited, local salaries are robust, with a cost-of-living index of 100.8 indicating a fairly manageable expense environment. Among the highest-paying sectors are FAA en route centers, typically offering superior compensation due to their complexity and responsibility. The variation in salary, from entry-level positions at lower-tier facilities to those commanding higher pay at en route locations, is influenced by factors like certification status, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime that has become increasingly prevalent in a post-sequester workforce environment. For those aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Lauderhill, pursuing opportunities in en route facilities, seeking CPC certification, and capitalizing on night and holiday shifts can significantly impact overall earnings.
More salary data for Lauderhill, 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 $146,788 for air traffic controllersin the Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill 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