Air Traffic Controller Salary in Benbrook, TX: $138,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Benbrook, TX earns a median $138,274/year (≈ $66.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Benbrook's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $144,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benbrook, Texas, air traffic controllers can expect a median salary of $138,274 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national average of $151,886 for the same year. Earnings for these professionals in the area range from $80,198 at the 10th percentile to $195,022 at the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. The salaries reflect the diverse tiers of facilities, with higher pay often associated with en route facilities compared to tower positions, impacting the overall compensation landscape in Benbrook and indicating the need for prospective controllers to consider their facility tier carefully when evaluating job offers.
About the Benbrook Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,198 | $38.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,556 | $47.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,274 | $66.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,583 | $82.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,022 | $93.76 |
Median Salary Position
8.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benbrook
In Benbrook, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,824 (2026 est.). At $138,274, the local median is 8.96% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benbrook: You'd be above the median
How Benbrook Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Benbrook median: $138,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,858 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.96% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Benbrook, TX earn a median of $138,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.96% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Texas state average of $145,858.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benbrook has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benbrook, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $138,274 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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
$111,968
2025 BLS Actual
$134,809
2026 Current Est.
$138,274
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Benbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,732 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,122 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,398 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,809 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,827 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benbrook metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,968 (2019) to $134,809 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,859 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benbrook 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) | $80,198 – $99,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,556 – $138,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,274 – $171,583 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,583 – $195,022 |
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 Benbrook
The local job market features a modest workforce of six air traffic controllers, highlighting a niche yet significant presence in this field. Benbrook's cost of living index stands at 96, suggesting a relatively affordable housing market, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for controllers. While FAA en route centers and TRACON facilities typically offer the most lucrative positions, controllers should be aware of factors influencing salary disparities. These include facility levels—where en route controllers earn more than those in terminal roles—and the importance of CPC certification, which leads to developmental pay. Shift differentials and overtime opportunities can significantly boost earnings as well. Therefore, controllers looking to maximize their pay in this Benbrook market should focus on these strategic aspects while navigating their career options.
More salary data for Benbrook, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Benbrook, TX in 2026?
Is Benbrook, TX a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Benbrook?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Benbrook?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Benbrook?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $134,809 for air traffic controllersin the Benbrook 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 Benbrook 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