Air Traffic Controller Salary in Lancaster, TX: $141,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Lancaster, TX earns a median $141,363/year (≈ $67.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $147,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual air traffic controller salary in Lancaster, TX, is estimated at $141,363 for 2026, placing it below the national median of $151,886. Salaries in the area range from $81,990 at the 10th percentile to $203,176 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the developmental pay structure that accounts for an air traffic controller's Certification and progression through the developmental stages. This timeline typically spans 1 to 3 years before one can expect to achieve full pay, with earnings closely aligned to various factors such as facility type and individual performance. Considering that Lancaster is a rapidly growing area of employment, the competitive nature of local salaries shows promise for prospective controllers navigating through the certification landscape.
About the Lancaster Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,844 | $50.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,363 | $67.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,945 | $86.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,176 | $97.68 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,186 (2026 est.). At $141,363, the local median is 6.93% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lancaster Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $141,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,885 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.93% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Lancaster, TX earn a median of $141,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% below the Texas state average of $145,885.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster 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.
Lancaster, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,253 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,469
2025 BLS Actual
$137,821
2026 Current Est.
$141,363
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,469 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,761 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,862 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,469 (2019) to $137,821 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,527 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $81,990 – $104,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,844 – $141,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,363 – $180,945 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,945 – $203,176 |
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 Lancaster
In Lancaster, there are currently eight employed air traffic controllers. The local cost of living index stands at 96, which is below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to top-tier facilities, the purchasing power can still be advantageous. Among local employers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) primarily operates traffic control towers but may also provide opportunities in terminal radar approach control. The dichotomy in air traffic controller pay in Lancaster TX is influenced by facility classifications, CPC certification status, and various shifts and overtime requirements. Controllers can maximize their salaries by seeking opportunities in full-time work, engaging in overtime, and attaining their CPC status as quickly as possible, given the high demand and ongoing staffing challenges in the air traffic control sector.
More salary data for Lancaster, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Lancaster?
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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 $137,821 for air traffic controllersin the Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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