Air Traffic Controller Salary in The Woodlands, TX: $145,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in The Woodlands, TX earns a median $145,507/year (≈ $69.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in The Woodlands's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $151,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For air traffic controllers in The Woodlands, TX, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $145,507, which is slightly below the national average of $151,886. The salary range for this role spans from $84,394 at the lowest decile to $216,516 at the upper decile. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data and local cost adjustments. Many controllers in The Woodlands find that extended hours—often 50 to 60 per week due to chronic understaffing—can significantly enhance their effective compensation, pushing earnings beyond the basic salary through overtime pay. This dynamic underscores the competitive nature of the job market here, as those willing to work the extra hours can secure a more favorable financial position.
About the The Woodlands Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,394 | $40.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,765 | $50.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,507 | $69.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,249 | $89.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,516 | $104.10 |
Median Salary Position
4.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Woodlands
In The Woodlands, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,122 (2026 est.). At $145,507, the local median is 4.2% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Woodlands: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Woodlands Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
The Woodlands median: $145,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Woodlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,798 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.20% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $145,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% below the Texas state average of $145,798.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Woodlands 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.
The Woodlands, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $145,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,570 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,825
2025 BLS Actual
$141,861
2026 Current Est.
$145,507
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,301 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,785 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,246 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Woodlands metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,825 (2019) to $141,861 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,246 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,421 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Woodlands 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) | $84,394 – $104,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,765 – $145,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,507 – $186,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,249 – $216,516 |
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 The Woodlands
With 21 air traffic controllers currently employed in the area, The Woodlands offers a modest but stable job market for this profession. The cost-of-living index stands at 96, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may not stretch as far as it would in higher-cost areas. Among employers in The Woodlands, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay, followed by terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers. Factors influencing the compensation range here include the facility level, whereby en route positions generally command higher pay than tower roles, as well as CPC certification status, which allows for greater earnings potential. Additional variables, such as shift differentials and the abundance of mandatory overtime, contribute to the pay spread. For those seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in The Woodlands, pursuing certification and being flexible with shifts can be essential strategies in this competitive and evolving field.
More salary data for The Woodlands, 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 $141,861 for air traffic controllersin the The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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