Air Traffic Controller Salary in Temple, TX: $143,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Temple, TX earns a median $143,168/year (≈ $68.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Temple's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $149,133 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Temple, Texas, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is $143,168, reflecting a competitive compensation package amid the ongoing demands of the role. The salary range spans from $83,038 at the lower percentile to $209,936 at the upper end, showcasing the significant earning potential within this specialized field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight a context where controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks due to chronic understaffing. This extensive overtime can substantially elevate earnings, allowing dedicated air traffic professionals in Temple to achieve a financial status that remains competitive, even when compared to the national median of $151,886.
About the Temple Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,038 | $39.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,259 | $49.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,168 | $68.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,256 | $88.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,936 | $100.93 |
Median Salary Position
5.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temple
In Temple, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,898 (2026 est.). At $143,168, the local median is 5.74% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temple: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temple Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Temple median: $143,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temple Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,792 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -5.74% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Temple, TX earn a median of $143,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.80% below the Texas state average of $145,792.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temple 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.
Temple, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $143,168 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,133 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,931
2025 BLS Actual
$139,581
2026 Current Est.
$143,168
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Temple (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,303 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,495 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,506 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temple metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,931 (2019) to $139,581 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,917 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temple 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) | $83,038 – $103,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,259 – $143,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,168 – $183,256 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,256 – $209,936 |
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 Temple
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Temple is characterized by a small but focused workforce, with only 14 controllers currently employed. With a cost-of-living index at 96, living expenses are below the national average, effectively enhancing take-home pay for these professionals. Among local employers, various FAA facilities, including en route centers and terminal radar approach controls (TRACONs), typically offer higher salaries compared to airport control towers. Pay disparities are influenced by factors such as facility level, certification status for Certified Professional Controllers (CPC), shift differentials, and the availability of overtime. Strategies for maximizing pay in Temple may include seeking positions at higher-level en route facilities, taking on overtime shifts, and pursuing CPC status to unlock potential earnings and advancement opportunities in this thriving sector.
More salary data for Temple, 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 $139,581 for air traffic controllersin the Temple 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 Temple 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