Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pharr, TX: $144,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Pharr, TX earns a median $144,820/year (≈ $69.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Pharr's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $150,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an air traffic controller salary in Pharr, TX averages an attractive $144,820 annually, with the potential for much higher earnings depending on experience and facility type. Salaries in this field range from $83,996 at the lower 10th percentile to $215,300 at the upper 90th percentile, showcasing significant earning potential for those at the top of their game. These figures are driven by many controllers working 50-60 hour weeks, particularly in understaffed facilities, leading to maximized compensation through overtime pay and effective salaries. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differentials, position Pharr slightly below the national median of $151,886. With a small but focused pool of 18 air traffic controllers employed in the area, the job market remains competitive yet promising for aspiring professionals.
About the Pharr Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,996 | $40.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,438 | $51.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,820 | $69.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,369 | $89.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,300 | $103.51 |
Median Salary Position
4.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pharr
In Pharr, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,304 (2026 est.). At $144,820, the local median is 4.65% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pharr: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pharr Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Pharr median: $144,820/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pharr Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,840 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.65% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Pharr, TX earn a median of $144,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $145,840.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pharr 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.
Pharr, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $144,820 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,854 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$117,268
2025 BLS Actual
$141,191
2026 Current Est.
$144,820
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pharr (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,268 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,714 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,989 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pharr metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,268 (2019) to $141,191 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,273 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pharr 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) | $83,996 – $106,438 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,438 – $144,820 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,820 – $185,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,369 – $215,300 |
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 Pharr
The cost of living index in Pharr stands at 96, below the national average of 100, which enhances the purchasing power of air traffic controller pay in Pharr, TX. Even though the local salary figures show a slight dip compared to national averages, this can be mitigated by strategic employment choices within the various types of facilities in the area. Controllers typically earn more in FAA en route centers, which control high-altitude traffic, as opposed to those in FAA airport control towers or military positions. The disparity in earnings is largely impacted by the facility tier system, certified professional controller status, and additional compensation through shift differentials and overtime, which are frequently a necessity given the ongoing staffing challenges in air traffic control. For individuals in Pharr aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay, focusing on obtaining CPC certification and actively seeking overtime opportunities will be vital in enhancing overall earnings.
More salary data for Pharr, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Pharr, TX in 2026?
Is Pharr, TX a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Pharr?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Pharr?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Pharr?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $141,191 for air traffic controllersin the Pharr 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 Pharr 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