Air Traffic Controller Salary in Plano, TX: $152,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Plano, TX earns a median $152,317/year (≈ $73.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Plano's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $158,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plano, Texas, air traffic controllers can expect a competitive median annual salary of $152,317 as projected for 2026, which positions them slightly ahead of the national median of $151,886. The salary range indicates a broad spectrum of earnings, from $88,345 at the 10th percentile to $225,179 for the 90th percentile, reflecting experiences and regional cost adjustments. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and accounting for local economic factors, highlight the potential for significant income growth, particularly as controllers progress through their careers. With the right time and commitment—estimated at 1-3 years to achieve fully certified professional controller (CPC) status—the pathway to enhanced pay becomes clearer within the evolving job market in the Plano area.
About the Plano Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,345 | $42.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,669 | $52.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,317 | $73.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,966 | $93.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,179 | $108.26 |
Median Salary Position
0.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plano
In Plano, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,834 (2026 est.). At $152,317, the local median is 0.28% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plano: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plano Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Plano median: $152,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plano Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,758 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +0.28% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Plano, TX earn a median of $152,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.28% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.50% above the Texas state average of $145,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plano 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.
Plano, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $152,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,664 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,340
2025 BLS Actual
$148,501
2026 Current Est.
$152,317
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Plano (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,791 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,501 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plano metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $123,340 (2019) to $148,501 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,892 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plano 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) | $88,345 – $109,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,669 – $152,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,317 – $194,966 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,966 – $225,179 |
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 Plano
In considering local employment dynamics, Plano currently hosts 57 air traffic controllers, suggesting a stable job market compared to other regions. The cost-of-living index stands at 96, which is below the national average and can lead to greater purchasing power for controllers earning competitive salaries. Among the highest-paying employers in Plano are FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach control facilities, each providing distinct salary structures based on facility levels. Factors such as CPC certification status can lead to pay significantly below full rate during developmental stages, while additional pay can be accrued through shift differentials and overtime opportunities. Given the ongoing underfunding since the 2013 sequester and the resulting staffing shortages, controllers are often required to work overtime, which can further enhance their compensation packages. Therefore, for aspiring controllers in Plano, focusing on securing positions at high-tier facilities and achieving CPC status early will be key strategies for maximizing air traffic controller pay in Plano, TX.
More salary data for Plano, 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 $148,501 for air traffic controllersin the Plano 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 Plano 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