Air Traffic Controller Salary in Port Orange, FL: $153,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Port Orange, FL earns a median $153,146/year (≈ $73.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Port Orange's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $151,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Orange, the role of an air traffic controller offers a substantial compensation package, with a projected median annual salary of $153,146 for 2026. This income reflects a competitive salary range from $88,825 at the 10th percentile to as high as $226,907 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating the significant variation based on experience and facility type. Salary figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, incorporating regional price parities that affect local compensation. Given the chronic understaffing in many air traffic control facilities, controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, which can lead to increased earnings through overtime, providing a real financial boost to those managing the operational demands in Port Orange.
About the Port Orange Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,825 | $42.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,113 | $53.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,146 | $73.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,628 | $93.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,907 | $109.09 |
Median Salary Position
0.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Orange
In Port Orange, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,082 (2026 est.). At $153,146, the local median is 0.83% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Orange Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Port Orange median: $153,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,537 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +0.83% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Port Orange, FL earn a median of $153,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% below the Florida state average of $154,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Orange has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Port Orange, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,146 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,931 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$124,011
2025 BLS Actual
$149,309
2026 Current Est.
$153,146
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Port Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,502 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,309 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Orange metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,011 (2019) to $149,309 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,071 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Orange 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) | $88,825 – $112,113 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,113 – $153,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,146 – $194,628 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,628 – $226,907 |
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 Port Orange
The job market for air traffic controllers in Port Orange remains robust, with ten professionals currently employed in this specialized field. The cost of living index for the area stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which influences take-home pay and purchasing power. While all FAA facilities are potential employers, the highest pay typically comes from ARTCCs, which handle high-altitude traffic, compared to TRACONs and airport towers. The pay gap between the lowest and highest salaries in the region can be attributed to factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Port Orange should consider pursuing positions at larger ARTCCs, seeking CPC certification, and being open to working nights or weekends, which are often compensated at a higher rate. Adapting to the local market's demands can enable controllers to enhance their earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Port Orange, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Port Orange, FL in 2026?
Is Port Orange, FL a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Port Orange?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Port Orange?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Port Orange?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $149,309 for air traffic controllersin the Port Orange 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 Port Orange 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