Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cedar Park, TX: $145,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cedar Park, TX earns a median $145,183/year (≈ $69.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cedar Park's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $151,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Park, Texas, air traffic controller salaries are projected to reach a median annual income of $145,183 by 2026. This figure highlights a slight decline compared to the national median of $151,886, indicating a localized pay environment. The salary range for these professionals in Cedar Park spans from $84,206 at the lowest 10th percentile to $216,551 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances, reflect the different tiers within air traffic control, particularly between en route, terminal, and tower facilities. Given that Cedar Park's job market has about 12 controllers currently employed, the economic landscape is tight, yet the potential for higher pay exists depending on specialization and experience.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,206 | $40.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,531 | $50.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,183 | $69.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,834 | $89.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,551 | $104.11 |
Median Salary Position
4.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Park
In Cedar Park, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,345 (2026 est.). At $145,183, the local median is 4.41% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Park Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cedar Park median: $145,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,766 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.41% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar Park, TX earn a median of $145,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.41% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $145,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Park 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 Park, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $145,183 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,232 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,562
2025 BLS Actual
$141,545
2026 Current Est.
$145,183
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,664 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,024 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Park metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,562 (2019) to $141,545 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,352 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park 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) | $84,206 – $104,531 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,531 – $145,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,183 – $185,834 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,834 – $216,551 |
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 Park
Examining the local job market reveals that Cedar Park is relatively favorable for air traffic controllers, especially when considering its cost of living index of 96, which is slightly below the national average. This lower index can enhance take-home pay, allowing controllers to stretch their earnings further than in higher-cost areas. Among the various employment options in the region, FAA en route centers generally offer the most competitive pay, owing to the complexity and demands of managing high-altitude traffic. Conversely, any controller considering a role here should be aware that pay disparities stem not only from facility level but also from various factors, including Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, shift differentials for night and holiday assignments, and the increased income potential from overtime work. Controllers can maximize their earnings in Cedar Park by strategically seeking positions that offer those higher pay rates and by taking advantage of overtime opportunities that arise in an industry grappling with staffing shortages, especially as controllers face mandatory retirement at age 56.
More salary data for Cedar Park, 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 $141,545 for air traffic controllersin the Cedar Park 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 Park 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