Air Traffic Controller Salary in College Station, TX: $150,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in College Station, TX earns a median $150,278/year (≈ $72.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in College Station's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $156,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in College Station, Texas, have a competitive earning potential aligning closely with national trends, as evidenced by the projected median salary of $150,278 for 2026. With salaries ranging from $87,162 at the 10th percentile to $218,221 at the 90th percentile, local estimates based on 2025 BLS data reflect the unique conditions in this market. College Station's job market may not be as large as metropolitan areas, but the hours of operation and chronic understaffing have fostered an environment where controllers often work 50 to 60-hour weeks. This reality not only drives up effective compensation through mandatory overtime but also allows individuals to maximize their take-home pay, enhancing the overall viability of a career in air traffic control within this Texas city.
About the College Station Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,162 | $41.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,278 | $72.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,357 | $92.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,221 | $104.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
In College Station, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,059 (2026 est.). At $150,278, the local median is 1.06% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Station: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Station Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
College Station median: $150,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Station Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,760 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.06% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in College Station, TX earn a median of $150,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% above the Texas state average of $145,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Station 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.
College Station, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,278 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,540 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,689
2025 BLS Actual
$146,513
2026 Current Est.
$150,278
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,377 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Station metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,689 (2019) to $146,513 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,452 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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) | $87,162 – $108,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,200 – $150,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,278 – $192,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,357 – $218,221 |
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 College Station
Examining the local job market reveals that only 19 air traffic controllers currently operate in College Station, which further emphasizes the potential for competitive pay. With a cost-of-living index at 96, controllers enjoy a relatively favorable economic environment, allowing for increased purchasing power despite not being among the highest salaries nationally. Most high-paying positions stem from various FAA facilities, including en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, where pay varies based on facility type and controller certification level. Controllers seeking to maximize their air traffic controller salary in College Station should pursue higher certifications, such as Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, and capitalize on opportunities for overtime and shift differentials, particularly for night shifts, Sundays, and holidays, given the continuous need for staffing in this sector.
More salary data for College Station, 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 $146,513 for air traffic controllersin the College Station 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 College Station 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