Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hurst, TX: $141,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hurst, TX earns a median $141,703/year (≈ $68.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hurst's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $147,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salary in Hurst, TX, is influenced significantly by the demanding nature of the job, with many controllers working 50 to 60 hours a week due to chronic staffing shortages. In 2026, the median annual pay is projected to be $141,703, which is slightly lower than the national median of $151,886. The salary range for these professionals locally spans from $82,187 at the 10th percentile to $195,593 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations in experience and facility type. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and regional cost adjustments highlight the job market's dynamics in Hurst, where air traffic controllers experience a unique compensation model shaped by overtime opportunities and the intensity of their responsibilities.
About the Hurst Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,187 | $39.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,511 | $50.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,703 | $68.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,456 | $85.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,593 | $94.04 |
Median Salary Position
6.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hurst
In Hurst, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,406 (2026 est.). At $141,703, the local median is 6.7% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hurst: You'd be above the median
How Hurst Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hurst median: $141,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,784 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.70% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hurst, TX earn a median of $141,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Texas state average of $145,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hurst 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.
Hurst, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,703 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,607 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,744
2025 BLS Actual
$138,152
2026 Current Est.
$141,703
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,051 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,383 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,169 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hurst metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,744 (2019) to $138,152 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,600 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hurst 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) | $82,187 – $105,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,511 – $141,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,703 – $177,456 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,456 – $195,593 |
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 Hurst
In Hurst, the local market currently employs only nine air traffic controllers, indicating a competitive environment amidst a cost-of-living index of 96—below the national average. This reality affects take-home purchasing power, making the effective air traffic controller pay in Hurst more impactful when factoring in overtime and shift differentials. Among local employers, FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries due to their role in managing high-altitude traffic, followed closely by TRACONs and airport traffic control towers. The variance in compensation stems from multiple factors, including facility type, CPC certification status, and the abundance of mandated overtime. Controllers can maximize their earnings in this setting by seeking positions at higher-tier facilities and utilizing opportunities for shift differentials, especially for night and holiday shifts, to enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Hurst, 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 $138,152 for air traffic controllersin the Hurst 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 Hurst 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