Air Traffic Controller Salary in Del Rio, TX: $143,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Del Rio, TX earns a median $143,547/year (≈ $69.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Del Rio's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $149,528 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Del Rio, TX, the estimated median annual salary for an air traffic controller is projected to be $143,547 in 2026. This figure places the local air traffic controller pay Del Rio TX slightly below the national median of $151,886. The pay range spans from $83,257 at the 10th percentile to $196,334 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant earning potential based on experience, skill level, and facility type. The data reflects estimates derived from 2025 BLS figures, adjusted to incorporate regional price parities, which are crucial in understanding the economic landscape of Del Rio. Notably, the local job market has room for growth, especially considering the FAA’s emphasis on hiring to address chronic staffing shortages across the aviation sector.
About the Del Rio Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,257 | $40.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,354 | $49.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,547 | $69.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,992 | $86.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,334 | $94.40 |
Median Salary Position
5.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Del Rio
In Del Rio, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,077 (2026 est.). At $143,547, the local median is 5.49% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Del Rio: You'd be above the median
How Del Rio Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Del Rio median: $143,547/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Del Rio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,881 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.49% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Del Rio, TX earn a median of $143,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.60% below the Texas state average of $145,881.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Del Rio 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.
Del Rio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,547 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,528 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,238
2025 BLS Actual
$139,950
2026 Current Est.
$143,547
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Del Rio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,626 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,837 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,236 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Del Rio metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $116,238 (2019) to $139,950 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,236 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,998 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Del Rio 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) | $83,257 – $103,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,354 – $143,547 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,547 – $178,992 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,992 – $196,334 |
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 Del Rio
With nine air traffic controllers currently employed in Del Rio, the local job market features competitive pay scales, influenced significantly by facility type and operational demand. The cost of living index here stands at 96, which is below the national average, suggesting that controllers can enjoy a better relative purchasing power in the area. Employers such as FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and military air traffic control facilities tend to offer higher salaries compared to smaller, contract-operated towers. Factors driving variances in pay include CPC certification status, where developmental controllers earn approximately 65-75% of their certified counterparts, alongside shift differentials and the prevalence of mandatory overtime during peak operational hours. For those striving to maximize compensation in Del Rio, aiming for positions at higher-tier facilities and pursuing CPC certification can significantly enhance earning potential within this evolving market.
More salary data for Del Rio, 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 $139,950 for air traffic controllersin the Del Rio 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 Del Rio 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