Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hawaii: $181,668 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $181,668/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $152,278 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($184,084), Kaneohe ($171,911), Mililani Town ($171,603).
In 2026, the average median salary for air traffic controllers in Hawaii is projected to be $181,668, significantly higher than the national median of $151,886— a difference of 19.6%. Honolulu leads the state with a salary of $188,815, while Hilo offers the lowest at $168,384, highlighting a salary gap of $20,431. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living in different areas and the volume of air traffic managed. Air traffic controllers in Hawaii must meet federal licensing requirements, as well as state-specific regulations that can vary by location. The demand for air traffic controllers in the state is driven by its strategic position in international air travel and tourism, which contribute to a projected annual growth rate of 2.57%. The total number of employed air traffic controllers in Hawaii is 125 across nine metro areas, which indicates a stable job market. With strong salary prospects and ongoing demand, pursuing a career in air traffic control in Hawaii presents a favorable outlook for aspiring professionals in this field.
Hawaii Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $97,663 (lowest entry-level) to $279,453 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii air traffic controllers earn 19.61% more than the national median (+$29,782/year difference).
Hawaii Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Hawaii range from $105,368 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $264,903 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $181,668. The Hawaii median is $29,782 above the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $87.34/hr. Approximately 125 air traffic controllers are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$129,420
2025 BLS Actual
$177,116
2026 Current Est.
$181,668
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $155,192 | Actual |
| 2022 | $158,182 | Actual |
| 2023 | $164,318 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $177,116 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $181,668 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 36.9% from $129,420 (2019) to $177,116 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $186,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,917 (43.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hilo | $168,384 |
| Kahului | $168,646 |
| Pearl City | $172,226 |
| Waipahu | $173,879 |
| East Honolulu | $173,947 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $188,815 | 119.3 | $158,269 |
| Kaneohe | $176,329 | 119.3 | $147,803 |
| Mililani Town | $176,013 | 119.3 | $147,538 |
| Kailua | $175,902 | 119.3 | $147,445 |
| East Honolulu | $173,947 | 119.3 | $145,806 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $105,368 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $181,668 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $264,903 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $188,815 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $176,329 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $176,013 |
| 4 | Kailua | $175,902 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $173,947 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $173,879 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $172,226 |
| 8 | Kahului | $168,646 |
| 9 | Hilo | $168,384 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Hawaii?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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