Air Traffic Controller Salary in Richardson, TX: $147,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Richardson, TX earns a median $147,616/year (≈ $70.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $153,767 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richardson, Texas, air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $147,616 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge against the national figure of $151,886. The salary range varies significantly, from a starting figure of $85,617 at the 10th percentile (P10) to an upper tier of $214,016 at the 90th percentile (P90). These estimates derive from the 2025 BLS data, which accounts for local market conditions and the cost of living adjusted to the regional price parity. For those considering a career in air traffic control in Richardson, understanding the pay scale distinctions related to en route, terminal, and tower facilities is essential as it determines potential earnings, especially given the varying demand across facility tiers.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,617 | $41.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,270 | $51.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,616 | $70.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,948 | $90.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,016 | $102.89 |
Median Salary Position
2.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,399 (2026 est.). At $147,616, the local median is 2.81% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richardson Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Richardson median: $147,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,865 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.81% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Richardson, TX earn a median of $147,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.81% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $145,865.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson 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.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $147,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,767 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,532
2025 BLS Actual
$143,917
2026 Current Est.
$147,616
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,532 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,102 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,532 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,518 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,917 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,532 (2019) to $143,917 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,877 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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) | $85,617 – $107,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,270 – $147,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,616 – $188,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,948 – $214,016 |
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 Richardson
As of 2026, there are 24 air traffic controllers employed in Richardson, TX, offering a moderately sized local job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 96, slightly below the national average, which positively impacts the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers in the region may include FAA en route centers, FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs), and airport traffic control towers, with the highest-paying opportunities likely found at en route facilities. Factors influencing the salary spread include the facility tier, certification status, shift differentials for unsociable hours, and the frequent mandate for overtime driven by chronic staffing shortages. Those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Richardson should seek CPC certification, be open to working varied shifts, and pursue roles at higher-tier facilities where compensation is generally more lucrative.
More salary data for Richardson, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Richardson?
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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 $143,917 for air traffic controllersin the Richardson 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 Richardson 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