Air Traffic Controller Salary in DeSoto, TX: $146,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in DeSoto, TX earns a median $146,159/year (≈ $70.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in DeSoto's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $152,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salary in DeSoto, TX, reflects the economic realities of a field where staffing shortages often lead to excessive overtime. For 2026, the median annual salary stands at $146,159, a figure that falls slightly below the national average of $151,886. Salaries in this role can vary significantly, with a range extending from $84,772 at the bottom (P10) to $220,004 at the top (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, and illustrate the robust earning potential available to those working in the local air traffic control facilities. DeSoto's job market for air traffic controllers remains promising, especially as agencies aim to stabilize staffing levels which have historically affected pay dynamics.
About the DeSoto Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,772 | $40.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,235 | $50.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,159 | $70.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,625 | $88.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,004 | $105.77 |
Median Salary Position
3.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeSoto
In DeSoto, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,232 (2026 est.). At $146,159, the local median is 3.77% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeSoto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeSoto Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
DeSoto median: $146,159/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeSoto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,867 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -3.77% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in DeSoto, TX earn a median of $146,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.77% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% above the Texas state average of $145,867.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeSoto 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.
DeSoto, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $146,159 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$118,353
2025 BLS Actual
$142,497
2026 Current Est.
$146,159
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in DeSoto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,353 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,503 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,858 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeSoto metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $118,353 (2019) to $142,497 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,562 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeSoto 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) | $84,772 – $105,235 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,235 – $146,159 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,159 – $184,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,625 – $220,004 |
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 DeSoto
Examining the local job market reveals a compact cohort of only nine employed air traffic controllers in DeSoto. The cost-of-living index for this area is notably lower than the national average, sitting at 96, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries in this profession. Most controllers in DeSoto are employed by FAA-related entities, such as terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers (ATCTs), which generally offer different pay scales depending on shift differentials and overtime opportunities. Controllers at higher levels earn more, with those in en route centers receiving additional locality pay and potential bonuses for overtime. To maximize air traffic controller pay in DeSoto, aspiring candidates should consider pursuing positions in federal facilities that offer higher salaries and benefits, as well as taking advantage of overtime opportunities given the persistent understaffing within the sector.
More salary data for DeSoto, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in DeSoto, TX in 2026?
Is DeSoto, TX a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in DeSoto?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in DeSoto?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in DeSoto?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $142,497 for air traffic controllersin the DeSoto 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 DeSoto 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