Air Traffic Controller Salary in McKinney, TX: $144,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in McKinney, TX earns a median $144,800/year (≈ $69.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in McKinney's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $150,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median air traffic controller salary in McKinney, Texas, is $144,800, which positions it slightly below the national median of $151,886. The salary range in this market spans from $83,984 at the P10 level to $214,047 at the P90 level, reflecting the various pay tiers within the air traffic control profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and take into account regional price adaptations, indicating a market that serves both high-performing and entry-level controllers effectively. With salaries trending and the local demand for air traffic controllers remaining robust, McKinney represents a viable option for those considering a career in this field while potentially offering pathways to advancement based on experience and specific facility types.
About the McKinney Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,984 | $40.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,256 | $50.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,800 | $69.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,344 | $89.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,047 | $102.91 |
Median Salary Position
4.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McKinney
In McKinney, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,063 (2026 est.). At $144,800, the local median is 4.67% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McKinney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McKinney Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
McKinney median: $144,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McKinney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,821 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.67% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in McKinney, TX earn a median of $144,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $145,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McKinney 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.
McKinney, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $144,800 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,833 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,252
2025 BLS Actual
$141,172
2026 Current Est.
$144,800
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in McKinney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,252 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,697 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,096 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,172 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McKinney metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,252 (2019) to $141,172 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,269 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McKinney 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) | $83,984 – $104,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,256 – $144,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,800 – $185,344 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,344 – $214,047 |
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 McKinney
The job market in McKinney includes 44 air traffic controllers, which helps maintain a relatively competitive environment for professionals in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 96, McKinney presents a favorable financial landscape where salaries, while slightly below the national average, provide substantial purchasing power. Employment at FAA en route centers typically attracts the highest pay, followed by terminal TRACONs and tower facilities, which employ controllers at varying levels. Factors such as facility type, CPC certification status, and shift differentials contribute to the pay variability. Controllers seeking to maximize their income might consider pursuing en route positions, taking advantage of overtime, and capitalizing on the additional pay incentives for night and holiday shifts. Given these dynamics, understanding how much air traffic controllers make in McKinney reveals both opportunity and the potential for growth in this vital sector.
More salary data for McKinney, 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 $141,172 for air traffic controllersin the McKinney 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 McKinney 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