Air Traffic Controller Salary in Corpus Christi, TX: $151,650 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Corpus Christi, TX earns a median $151,650/year (≈ $72.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Corpus Christi's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $157,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For air traffic controllers in Corpus Christi, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $151,650, reflecting a competitive compensation structure in the region. Salary estimates show a range from $87,957 at the 10th percentile to $233,084 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying pay scales largely influenced by the facility tier an air traffic controller works in. En route centers, such as those that manage high-altitude air traffic, typically offer higher pay compared to terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers. This local salary data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for the regional cost of living, highlights the strong employment landscape for air traffic controllers in Corpus Christi, Texas.
About the Corpus Christi Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,957 | $42.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,188 | $52.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $151,650 | $72.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,112 | $93.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $233,084 | $112.06 |
Median Salary Position
0.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,127 (2026 est.). At $151,650, the local median is 0.16% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corpus Christi: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Corpus Christi Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Corpus Christi median: $151,650/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corpus Christi Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,817 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.16% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Corpus Christi, TX earn a median of $151,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.00% above the Texas state average of $145,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corpus Christi 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.
Corpus Christi, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $151,650 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,969 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,799
2025 BLS Actual
$147,850
2026 Current Est.
$151,650
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Corpus Christi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,548 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,045 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,167 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,650 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $155,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $122,799 (2019) to $147,850 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $155,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,748 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corpus Christi 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) | $87,957 – $109,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,188 – $151,650 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $151,650 – $194,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,112 – $233,084 |
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 Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, there are currently 51 air traffic controllers employed, highlighting a robust local job market despite the challenges of staffing levels post-2013. With a cost-of-living index of 96, controllers in this city enjoy relatively favorable buying power compared to national averages. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employs the majority, with various facility types affecting pay: en route Level 12 positions generally command the highest salaries, while military air traffic control roles and contract towers offer different pay scales and benefits. Factors such as certified professional controller (CPC) status, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime are instrumental in shaping the air traffic controller pay in Corpus Christi, TX. For those looking to maximize their earnings, seeking positions at en route centers, obtaining CPC certification, and being open to overtime opportunities can significantly influence total compensation, making it essential to understand the dynamics of the pay structure within this specific market.
More salary data for Corpus Christi, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Corpus Christi, TX in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Corpus Christi?
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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 $147,850 for air traffic controllersin the Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi 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