Air Traffic Controller Salary in St. Petersburg, FL: $153,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in St. Petersburg, FL earns a median $153,738/year (≈ $73.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in St. Petersburg's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $152,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in St. Petersburg, FL, projects a median annual income of $153,738 in 2026, marking a slight increase compared to the national average of $151,886. Controller salaries are notably affected by overtime conditions. Many facilities operate with staffing shortages, leading to extended work weeks averaging 50 to 60 hours, effectively driving up overall compensation. Salaries in the area range from $89,168 at the lower end (P10) to $237,611 at the upper spectrum (P90), reflecting the various levels of responsibility and experience. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, highlighting differences between local and national salary standards in the air traffic control field.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,168 | $42.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,691 | $53.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,738 | $73.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,785 | $94.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,611 | $114.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,443 (2026 est.). At $153,738, the local median is 1.22% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Petersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Petersburg Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
St. Petersburg median: $153,738/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Petersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,511 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +1.22% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $153,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% below the Florida state average of $154,511.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Petersburg has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Petersburg, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,738 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,518 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,490
2025 BLS Actual
$149,886
2026 Current Est.
$153,738
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,011 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,863 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,056 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,406 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,490 (2019) to $149,886 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,199 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Petersburg 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) | $89,168 – $110,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,691 – $153,738 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,738 – $196,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,785 – $237,611 |
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 St. Petersburg
A total of 42 air traffic controllers work in St. Petersburg, contributing to a competitive local job market. The cost of living index in this area stands at 100.8, indicating that while it is above the national average, salaries generally align with local economic needs. Employers here vary widely in terms of compensation, with FAA en route centers typically offering the highest pay due to their traffic volume and complexity. Controller pay in St. Petersburg is influenced by factors such as facility type, with en route positions often earning more than terminal or tower positions. Additional elements like CPC certification, shift differentials, and overtime can significantly impact total earnings. To maximize income in this market, controllers should consider pursuing CPC certification, work at en route facilities when possible, and capitalize on overtime opportunities that arise from the current staffing shortages.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, 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 $149,886 for air traffic controllersin the St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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