Air Traffic Controller Salary in Plantation, FL: $152,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Plantation, FL earns a median $152,568/year (≈ $73.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Plantation's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $151,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plantation, FL, the projected median annual salary for an air traffic controller in 2026 stands at $152,568, slightly above the national median of $151,886. Compensation in the area ranges widely, with the lowest 10% earning around $88,489 and the highest 90% making approximately $224,891 annually. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic adjustments and the growing demand for skilled professionals in the air traffic control field. With a relatively small workforce of just 15 air traffic controllers in Plantation, the local job market is competitive and offers solid prospects for those entering the profession.
About the Plantation Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,489 | $42.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,848 | $52.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,568 | $73.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,287 | $93.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $224,891 | $108.12 |
Median Salary Position
0.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plantation
In Plantation, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,402 (2026 est.). At $152,568, the local median is 0.45% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plantation: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plantation Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Plantation median: $152,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plantation Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,577 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +0.45% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Plantation, FL earn a median of $152,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.45% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $154,577.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plantation has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plantation, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,357 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,542
2025 BLS Actual
$148,745
2026 Current Est.
$152,568
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Plantation (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,745 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,489 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plantation metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $123,542 (2019) to $148,745 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,489 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,947 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plantation 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) | $88,489 – $109,848 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,848 – $152,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,568 – $195,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,287 – $224,891 |
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 Plantation
The cost of living in Plantation, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 100.8, slightly exceeds the national average, impacting the purchasing power of air traffic controller pay in Plantation, FL. Employers such as FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach controls typically offer the highest compensation, particularly when considering facility levels and specialized roles. Factors such as CPC certification, which can start controllers at 65-75% of full pay, as well as shift differentials and the potential for abundant overtime, play significant roles in creating a distinct pay scale. To maximize earnings, controllers would benefit from pursuing higher-tier facilities and considering the lateral move opportunities that come with experience and certification advancement, especially given the backdrop of chronic staffing shortages across the FAA.
More salary data for Plantation, 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 $148,745 for air traffic controllersin the Plantation 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 Plantation 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