Air Traffic Controller Salary in Mission, TX: $145,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Mission, TX earns a median $145,640/year (≈ $70.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Mission's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $151,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Mission, TX, can anticipate a median salary of $145,640, slightly below the national average of $151,886. Compensation here ranges from approximately $84,472 at the lower end (P10) to $218,175 at the upper echelon (P90), highlighting the significant variation based on experience, certification, and facility type. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the local labor market dynamics where long hours often translate into increased earnings. Controllers frequently work 50-60 hour weeks, largely due to ongoing staffing challenges, resulting in overtime pay that bolsters overall compensation, an important consideration for those contemplating a career in this field.
About the Mission Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,472 | $40.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,861 | $50.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,640 | $70.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,453 | $88.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,175 | $104.89 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mission
In Mission, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,703 (2026 est.). At $145,640, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mission: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mission Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Mission median: $145,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mission Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,786 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.11% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Mission, TX earn a median of $145,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.10% below the Texas state average of $145,786.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mission 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.
Mission, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $145,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,708 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,933
2025 BLS Actual
$141,991
2026 Current Est.
$145,640
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mission (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,933 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,057 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,415 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,914 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mission metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,933 (2019) to $141,991 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,450 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mission 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) | $84,472 – $104,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,861 – $145,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,640 – $183,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,453 – $218,175 |
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 Mission
Currently, there are 22 air traffic controllers employed in Mission, TX, reflecting a stable job market despite the pressures of chronic understaffing in the industry. With a cost-of-living index of 96, living expenses in Mission are slightly below the national average, which affects take-home purchasing power for controllers. Among the various employers in the region, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, followed by TRACON facilities and airport towers. The spread in pay is influenced by factors such as facility level, CPC status, and various shift differentials that can significantly enhance earnings. Therefore, new controllers aiming to maximize their pay in Mission should seek opportunities in high-tiered facilities, capitalize on overtime opportunities, and prepare for robust wage growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.57% over the next five years.
More salary data for Mission, 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 $141,991 for air traffic controllersin the Mission 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 Mission 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