Air Traffic Controller Salary in Horizon City, TX: $135,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Horizon City, TX earns a median $135,707/year (≈ $65.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Horizon City's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $141,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Horizon City, Texas, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $135,707 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national figure of $151,886. The local salary range demonstrates significant variability, with earnings spanning from $80,327 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $186,301 at the upper tier (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, are adjusted for regional cost factors. In a market that features only six employed air traffic controllers, the potential for overtime based on a demanding schedule of 50 to 60 hours per week is a crucial component of compensation. This overtime can be especially pronounced in the context of understaffed facilities, making it a common practice that effectively raises overall earnings for controllers in this area.
About the Horizon City Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,327 | $38.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,671 | $48.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,707 | $65.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,559 | $81.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,301 | $89.56 |
Median Salary Position
10.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Horizon City
In Horizon City, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,974 (2026 est.). At $135,707, the local median is 10.65% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Horizon City: You'd be above the median
How Horizon City Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Horizon City median: $135,707/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Horizon City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,765 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.65% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Horizon City, TX earn a median of $135,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.65% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.90% below the Texas state average of $145,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Horizon City 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.
Horizon City, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $135,707 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,890
2025 BLS Actual
$132,307
2026 Current Est.
$135,707
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Horizon City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,163 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,195 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Horizon City metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,890 (2019) to $132,307 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,195 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,305 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Horizon City 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) | $80,327 – $100,671 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,671 – $135,707 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,707 – $170,559 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,559 – $186,301 |
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 Horizon City
The job market for air traffic controllers in Horizon City is shaped by both competitive salaries and a relatively low cost of living index at 96. This environment suggests that while salaries may not match the national averages, the purchasing power remains viable, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Among the various employment avenues, FAA en route centers typically offer higher compensation when compared to terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers, which are classified as lower-tier facilities. Controllers seeking to enhance their earnings should consider the benefits of pursuing CPC certification, which unlocks higher pay scales, as well as taking advantage of shift differentials that can increase pay by as much as 25% for Sunday shifts. Furthermore, engaging in overtime work—which is common due to staffing shortages—can significantly boost earnings potential in Horizon City for air traffic controllers looking to maximize their take-home pay.
More salary data for Horizon City, 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 $132,307 for air traffic controllersin the Horizon City 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 Horizon City 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