Air Traffic Controller Salary in North Port, FL: $155,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in North Port, FL earns a median $155,237/year (≈ $74.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in North Port's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $154,005 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in North Port, Florida, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $155,237, which is slightly above the national average of $151,886. The salary range for this profession is noteworthy, with salaries starting from $90,037 at the tenth percentile, ascending to $218,741 at the ninetieth percentile. These numbers provide a solid framework for professionals in the field, especially as North Port balances its unique cost-of-living index that stands at 100.8, indicating a moderate expense environment relative to the national average. Controllers at various facilities, particularly those at level 12 en route centers, often experience higher compensation due to their roles in managing high-altitude air traffic, reflecting a significant divergence from those working in lower-tier terminal or tower positions.
About the North Port Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,037 | $43.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,771 | $53.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,237 | $74.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,568 | $94.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,741 | $105.17 |
Median Salary Position
2.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Port
In North Port, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,704 (2026 est.). At $155,237, the local median is 2.21% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Port: You'd be above the median
How North Port Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
North Port median: $155,237/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Port Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,618 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +2.21% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in North Port, FL earn a median of $155,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.21% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% above the Florida state average of $154,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Port has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Port, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,237 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,005 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,703
2025 BLS Actual
$151,347
2026 Current Est.
$155,237
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in North Port (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,703 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,297 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,168 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,411 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,347 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Port metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $125,703 (2019) to $151,347 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,523 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Port 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) | $90,037 – $111,771 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,771 – $155,237 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,237 – $196,568 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,568 – $218,741 |
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 North Port
With 18 air traffic controllers currently employed in North Port, the job market presents a relatively stable yet competitive atmosphere. Living costs in the region influence take-home pay, which may be particularly relevant for controllers considering their financial commitments. The most lucrative positions tend to be at FAA en route centers, where higher salaries and additional shift differentials can enhance earnings significantly. Factors such as facility tier level, CPC certification status, and the expectation of mandatory overtime all contribute to the salary variations within the field. Those pursuing air traffic controller pay in North Port FL should focus on gaining certifications and seek opportunities within higher-tier facilities, as these pathways can lead to maximizing their income potential in a market characterized by chronic staffing shortages and projected growth.
More salary data for North Port, 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 $151,347 for air traffic controllersin the North Port 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 North Port 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