Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cedar Hill, TX: $144,157 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cedar Hill, TX earns a median $144,157/year (≈ $69.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cedar Hill's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $150,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Hill, Texas, the median annual air traffic controller salary is projected to be $144,157 in 2026. Those working in this role can expect a salary range between $83,611 at the 10th percentile and $203,836 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of compensation based on experience and responsibilities. With ongoing understaffing challenges impacting the FAA, most controllers frequently work 50-60 hour weeks, which can significantly elevate their total earnings through overtime. Estimates for these salaries are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state-level data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, revealing how Cedar Hill’s air traffic controller pay compares to national standards.
About the Cedar Hill Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,611 | $40.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,793 | $49.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,157 | $69.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,487 | $88.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,836 | $98.00 |
Median Salary Position
5.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Hill
In Cedar Hill, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,225 (2026 est.). At $144,157, the local median is 5.09% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Hill: You'd be above the median
How Cedar Hill Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cedar Hill median: $144,157/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,760 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.09% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar Hill, TX earn a median of $144,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.09% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.10% below the Texas state average of $145,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Hill 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.
Cedar Hill, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $144,157 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,164 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,732
2025 BLS Actual
$140,545
2026 Current Est.
$144,157
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,784 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,148 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,521 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,157 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Hill metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $116,732 (2019) to $140,545 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,130 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Hill 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) | $83,611 – $103,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,793 – $144,157 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,157 – $183,487 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,487 – $203,836 |
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 Cedar Hill
In Cedar Hill, there are currently eight air traffic controllers employed, making the job market competitive yet somewhat constrained. The area's cost of living index stands at 96, which is below the national average, allowing for improved purchasing power just for being located here. Among the employers in the region, FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers typically offer more competitive compensation than smaller contract facilities. Wage variability is driven by several factors, including facility type, CPC certification, shift differentials, and the often-mandatory overtime that controllers are required to work. To maximize earnings, controllers should consider seeking positions in en route centers where pay is generally higher, pursue CPC certification, and be open to shifts that carry additional premiums, particularly during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Understanding these dynamics can significantly influence how much do air traffic controllers make in Cedar Hill, TX.
More salary data for Cedar Hill, TX:
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 $140,545 for air traffic controllersin the Cedar Hill 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 Cedar Hill 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