Air Traffic Controller Salary in Kingsville, TX: $139,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Kingsville, TX earns a median $139,665/year (≈ $67.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Kingsville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $145,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kingsville, TX, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $139,665 in 2026, which reflects local economic conditions adjusted for regional price variations. This salary places controllers slightly below the national median for their profession, which stands at $151,886. The local salary range spans from $81,006 for entry-level positions to $197,139 for those at the upper end of the pay scale. These figures suggest that while there are competitive compensation opportunities in Kingsville, the level of facility—ranging from en route to terminal and tower operations—significantly impacts earnings.
About the Kingsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,006 | $38.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,543 | $48.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,665 | $67.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,982 | $85.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,139 | $94.77 |
Median Salary Position
8.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsville
In Kingsville, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,133 (2026 est.). At $139,665, the local median is 8.05% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsville: You'd be above the median
How Kingsville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Kingsville median: $139,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,789 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.05% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Kingsville, TX earn a median of $139,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Texas state average of $145,789.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsville 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.
Kingsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,484 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,095
2025 BLS Actual
$136,166
2026 Current Est.
$139,665
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Kingsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,095 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,927 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,255 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,095 (2019) to $136,166 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,255 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,160 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsville 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) | $81,006 – $101,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,543 – $139,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,665 – $177,982 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,982 – $197,139 |
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 Kingsville
At present, there are five air traffic controllers employed in Kingsville, which indicates a small but vital segment of the local job market. With a cost-of-living index at 96, compensation may provide somewhat more purchasing power compared to national averages, though it remains essential to factor in local economic conditions. Among the various facilities, the FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries, particularly due to the complexity and volume of traffic managed. To maximize earnings in this market, controllers should prioritize obtaining CPC certification to transition from developmental pay to full compensation as soon as possible, as well as look for opportunities to work shift differentials, particularly on weekends or holidays. The appeal of overtime, enhanced by the chronic staffing needs post-2013 sequester, further enriches earning potential.
More salary data for Kingsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $136,166 for air traffic controllersin the Kingsville 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 Kingsville 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