Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pearl City, HI: $172,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Pearl City, HI earns a median $172,226/year (≈ $82.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Pearl City's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $144,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl City, HI, air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $172,226 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation package compared to national standards. With a salary range spanning from $99,891 at the lower decile (P10) to $247,910 at the upper decile (P90), earnings vary significantly based on experience and facility type. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that Pearl City is a lucrative location for air traffic controllers at any stage of their career. Given that controllers may take 1-3 years to progress to full pay, the initial pay during the transition can be critical for new employees navigating this pathway.
About the Pearl City Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,891 | $48.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,143 | $59.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,226 | $82.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $220,450 | $105.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,910 | $119.19 |
Median Salary Position
13.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl City
In Pearl City, HI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,019 (2026 est.). At $172,226, the local median is 13.39% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearl City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Pearl City median: $172,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $177,370 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +13.39% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Pearl City, HI earn a median of $172,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.39% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.90% below the Hawaii state average of $177,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl City has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pearl City, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,226 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,364 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,461
2025 BLS Actual
$167,911
2026 Current Est.
$172,226
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pearl City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,461 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,961 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,778 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,422 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,911 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $139,461 (2019) to $167,911 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,192 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl City 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) | $99,891 – $124,143 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,143 – $172,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,226 – $220,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $220,450 – $247,910 |
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 Pearl City
Pearl City currently employs eight air traffic controllers, highlighting a niche job market with significant potential for growth, despite being small in scale. The cost-of-living index of 119.3 suggests that while salaries are generous, they must stretch further due to higher local expenses. Within the area, top-paying employers include FAA en route centers and TRACON facilities, where work typically yields the highest salaries due to the complexity and requirements of high-altitude traffic control. Factors influencing pay disparities among controllers accordingly include the facility's classification, certification status, and applicable shift differentials. Controllers who maximize their pay often take advantage of abundant mandatory overtime, shift differentials, and strategically seek out higher-tier facilities or specialized positions, ensuring they earn to their full potential amidst a competitive environment.
More salary data for Pearl City, HI:
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 $167,911 for air traffic controllersin the Pearl City 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 Pearl City 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