Air Traffic Controller Salary in Harlingen, TX: $146,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Harlingen, TX earns a median $146,922/year (≈ $70.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Harlingen's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $153,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Harlingen, Texas, can expect to receive a median annual salary of $146,922 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary range in this market goes from $85,215 at the 10th percentile to $208,388 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various tiers within the air traffic control profession based on facility type. En route controllers at Level 12 typically command higher salaries compared to those working in terminal or tower positions due to the complexity and volume of traffic managed. These figures derive from BLS state-level data estimates adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicating a competitive landscape for aviation professionals in Harlingen, a city that serves as a critical hub in the air traffic network.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,215 | $40.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,334 | $51.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,922 | $70.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,408 | $89.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,388 | $100.19 |
Median Salary Position
3.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harlingen
In Harlingen, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,173 (2026 est.). At $146,922, the local median is 3.27% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Harlingen: You'd be above the median
How Harlingen Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Harlingen median: $146,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harlingen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,756 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -3.27% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Harlingen, TX earn a median of $146,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.27% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% above the Texas state average of $145,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harlingen 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.
Harlingen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $146,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,971
2025 BLS Actual
$143,241
2026 Current Est.
$146,922
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,971 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,158 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,698 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harlingen metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $118,971 (2019) to $143,241 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,698 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,727 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harlingen 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) | $85,215 – $107,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,334 – $146,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,922 – $186,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,408 – $208,388 |
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 Harlingen
In the local job market, only 14 air traffic controllers are currently employed in Harlingen, highlighting a relatively small but specialized workforce. With a cost-of-living index at 96, professionals can find that their salaries stretch further compared to more expensive areas. Employers such as FAA en route centers generally offer higher pay compared to terminal radar approach control (TRACON) and tower facilities, influenced by location and job responsibilities. Those at the highest pay levels often hold Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, affecting their income through development pay and overtime opportunities. To maximize earnings in Harlingen, aspiring controllers should consider positions at FAA en route facilities, leverage shift differentials, and explore overtime potential which remains abundant in the context of ongoing staffing shortages in the air traffic control environment.
More salary data for Harlingen, 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 $143,241 for air traffic controllersin the Harlingen 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 Harlingen 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