Air Traffic Controller Salary in Deming, NM: $137,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Deming, NM earns a median $137,811/year (≈ $66.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Deming's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $145,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Deming, New Mexico, can expect a median annual salary of $137,811, which is approximately 9.27% below the national median of $151,886. The salary range for controllers in this region spans from $81,703 at the 10th percentile to $190,163 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various tiers of air traffic control facilities, which include en route Level 12, terminal Level 11, and tower Level 7. These salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, demonstrate a structured pay scale influenced by factors such as location of employment, certification status, and experience. As a small city with just four air traffic controllers, Deming's market reflects stability but offers less competitive pay due to its facility tier levels compared to larger metropolitan areas.
About the Deming Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,703 | $39.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,655 | $49.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,811 | $66.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,497 | $83.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,163 | $91.42 |
Median Salary Position
9.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Deming
In Deming, NM, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,460 (2026 est.). At $137,811, the local median is 9.27% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Deming: You'd be above the median
How Deming Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Deming median: $137,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Deming Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $147,707 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.27% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Deming, NM earn a median of $137,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.27% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.70% below the New Mexico state average of $147,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Deming has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Deming, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $137,811 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,593
2025 BLS Actual
$134,358
2026 Current Est.
$137,811
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Deming (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,727 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,995 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,742 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Deming metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,593 (2019) to $134,358 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,760 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Deming 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) | $81,703 – $102,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,655 – $137,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,811 – $173,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,497 – $190,163 |
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 Deming
The demand for air traffic controllers remains steady in Deming, and this impacts local pay. Each of the four air traffic controllers operates within a cost-of-living index that sits at 94.4, indicating a more affordable lifestyle relative to the national average. This context plays a crucial role in take-home pay, enabling controllers to stretch their salaries further than they might in more expensive regions. Among the local employers, the FAA's en route centers and terminal facilities hold the potential for more lucrative salaries, while military and contracted positions typically yield varied financial rewards. Factors such as shift differentials, overtime, and locality pay can significantly affect total earnings. For those in Deming seeking to maximize their pay, focusing on gaining CPC certification, working overtime, and taking advantage of preferential shifts could be key strategies in improving overall compensation in this competitive yet contained market.
More salary data for Deming, NM:
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 $134,358 for air traffic controllersin the Deming 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 Deming 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