Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Corona, CA: $84.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Corona, CA runs $84.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $175,061 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Corona's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $105,043 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Corona, California, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $84.17, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This advantageous hourly pay reflects the complex and demanding nature of the job, which typically takes place in various settings such as radar consoles in en route centers, TRACON facilities, and control towers. Part-time workers, those clocking in just three days a week, can still generate substantial incomes, especially given the hourly range spanning from $48.81 for entry-level positions to $128.56 for top earners in the area. These statistics indicate that air traffic controllers in Corona are compensated well, and the figures are derived from annual salary data that translate into hourly wages for standard shifts and per diem work, catering to the unique needs of aviation operations within the region.
About the Corona Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.81 | $390.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.60 | $484.79 |
| Median (P50) | $84.17 | $673.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.98 | $855.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128.56 | $1028.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Corona
Based on $84.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.17/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Corona, CA can expect to earn approximately $175,071 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,003. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Corona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Corona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,366.76 | $14,589 | $175,071 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,020.05 | $8,754 | $105,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,346.70 | $5,836 | $70,029 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Corona) | $84.17 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Corona, CA earn a median of $175,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.26% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.90% above the California state average of $171,797.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.17/hr = $105,043/year (purchasing power: $92,876).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $175,071/year (purchasing power: $154,793).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Corona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $72.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $99.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Corona grew 20.4% from $68.16/hr (2019) to $82.06/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corona 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Corona
Examine the potential for part-time earnings further: an air traffic controller working just three days a week can expect to take home a respectable amount annually, albeit less than their full-time counterparts. Many controllers find themselves in per-diem roles, where agency and locum positions are not as common. Here, opportunities for overtime become critical, as controllers often exceed their standard hours, sometimes logging 50 to 60 hours a week. This reality can lead to effective hourly compensation significantly above the base rate, with reports of many controllers earning between $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime annually. Different employer types in Corona, such as FAA en route centers and contract towers, offer varied pay structures. This diversity allows air traffic controllers to negotiate hourly rates that might include trade-offs between higher pay without benefits or a steadier, though lower, hourly rate with comprehensive health insurance. Practical negotiation will hinge on understanding these dynamics and the specific demands of the facility, ensuring that controllers can maximize their pay according to their career goals.
More salary data for Corona, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Corona in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Corona?
Are air traffic controllers in Corona paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Corona?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Corona?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Corona. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Corona 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