Air Traffic Controller Salary in Houston, TX: $155,705 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Houston, TX earns a median $155,705/year (≈ $74.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Houston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $162,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Houston, Texas, the compensation for air traffic controllers reflects the responsibilities tied to various facility tiers, including en route, terminal, and tower operations. The projected median salary for 2026 stands at $155,705, slightly above the national average of $151,886, illustrating the competitive nature of the market. Controllers in this region can expect earnings ranging from $90,309 at the lower end to $238,742 at the high end, highlighting significant potential for income based on facility type and experience. These figures originate from local estimates crafted from 2025 BLS data and are adjusted for regional cost variations, indicating that air traffic controller pay in Houston, TX, is tailored to reflect both the demands of the job and the local economic context.
About the Houston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,309 | $43.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,108 | $53.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,705 | $74.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,303 | $95.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $238,742 | $114.78 |
Median Salary Position
2.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,433 (2026 est.). At $155,705, the local median is 2.51% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Houston median: $155,705/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,792 | +6.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +2.51% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Houston, TX earn a median of $155,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.51% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 6.80% above the Texas state average of $145,792.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston 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.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $155,705 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $162,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,083
2025 BLS Actual
$151,804
2026 Current Est.
$155,705
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $172,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $180,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,705 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $126,083 (2019) to $151,804 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,624 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $90,309 – $112,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,108 – $155,705 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,705 – $199,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,303 – $238,742 |
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 Houston
Analyzing the air traffic controller job market in Houston reveals a robust demand, with 481 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index for the region is 96, which suggests that controllers can enjoy a favorable buying power compared to other metropolitan areas. The highest-paying opportunities are typically found at FAA en route centers, where controllers managing high-altitude traffic can significantly boost their earnings through shift differentials and overtime, particularly given the ongoing staffing challenges since the 2013 sequester. Pay disparities can also arise from certification levels and facility types; for instance, Level 12 en route facilities pay more than Level 11 terminal or Level 7 tower positions. For those looking to optimize their air traffic controller pay in Houston, TX, pursuing CPC certification, seeking positions at en route centers, and being flexible with overtime and shift work are effective strategies to elevate their compensation.
More salary data for Houston, 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 $151,804 for air traffic controllersin the Houston 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 Houston 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