Air Traffic Controller Salary in Frisco, TX: $150,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Frisco, TX earns a median $150,984/year (≈ $72.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Frisco's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $157,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Frisco, Texas, air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $150,984 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $87,571 at the 10th percentile to $234,026 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic climate and regional price adjustments. This market offers promising opportunities for controllers, especially those pursuing full certification, as they can expect a pay increase over a typical two to three-year training period from a developmental controller to a fully certified professional.
About the Frisco Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,571 | $42.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,709 | $52.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,984 | $72.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,259 | $92.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,026 | $112.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frisco
In Frisco, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,455 (2026 est.). At $150,984, the local median is 0.59% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Frisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frisco Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Frisco median: $150,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,878 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.59% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Frisco, TX earn a median of $150,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.59% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.50% above the Texas state average of $145,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frisco 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.
Frisco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $150,984 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,260
2025 BLS Actual
$147,201
2026 Current Est.
$150,984
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Frisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,646 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,465 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,565 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,201 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frisco metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $122,260 (2019) to $147,201 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,604 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frisco 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) | $87,571 – $108,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,709 – $150,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,984 – $193,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,259 – $234,026 |
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 Frisco
Local employment figures reveal that there are currently 38 air traffic controllers in Frisco, TX. With a cost-of-living index of 96, controllers in this area enjoy reasonable purchasing power, making their salaries feel fairly competitive. Employers within the FAA, particularly at en route centers, tend to offer the highest compensation opportunities. Pay disparities stem from various factors, including facility types—where en route positions generally command higher salaries compared to terminal or tower roles—as well as individual CPC certification status. Prospective controllers should consider seeking positions in en route centers to maximize their earning potential. Additionally, understanding the impacts of shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and locality pay can provide an edge in increasing their overall take-home pay in Frisco.
More salary data for Frisco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Frisco, TX in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Frisco?
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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 $147,201 for air traffic controllersin the Frisco 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 Frisco 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