Air Traffic Controller Salary in Friendswood, TX: $140,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Friendswood, TX earns a median $140,943/year (≈ $67.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $146,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, Texas, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers stands at $140,943 for 2026. This competitive figure is slightly lower than the national median of $151,886, reflecting local economic conditions and adjustments based on state-level data. The salary range for air traffic controllers in this area varies significantly, from $81,887 at the lower end to $201,763 at the higher end, indicating varied compensation based on experience and certification level. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reveal the potential for upward mobility as individuals progress through their careers. Given the local job market, the pay structure often reflects the facility type and demand for controllers in Friendswood.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,887 | $39.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,025 | $50.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,943 | $67.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,407 | $86.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,763 | $97.00 |
Median Salary Position
7.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,876 (2026 est.). At $140,943, the local median is 7.2% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Friendswood Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $140,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,753 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.20% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $140,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.20% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $145,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood 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.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $140,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,130
2025 BLS Actual
$137,412
2026 Current Est.
$140,943
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,403 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,722 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,483 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,338 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,566 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,130 (2019) to $137,412 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,566 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,436 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $81,887 – $104,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,025 – $140,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,943 – $180,407 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,407 – $201,763 |
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 Friendswood
The local air traffic controller job market includes eight currently employed professionals, showcasing a workforce concentrated in a specialized field. Despite the cost of living index being slightly below the national average at 96, this enables a promising purchasing power for those earning air traffic controller pay in Friendswood, TX. Positions at FAA en route centers tend to offer higher salaries than FAA terminal or tower facilities, impacting overall earnings potential. Variations in pay can be attributed to factors such as Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, shift differentials (with night and holiday shifts providing additional pay), and the ongoing need for overtime. Those in Friendswood seeking to maximize pay should consider developing CPC status, exploring employment at higher-tier facilities, and anticipating scheduled opportunities for additional hours, all while coping with the chronic staffing shortages that the industry faces today.
More salary data for Friendswood, 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 $137,412 for air traffic controllersin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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