Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Eastvale, CA: $82.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Eastvale, CA runs $82.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,431 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Eastvale's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,854 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Eastvale, California, air traffic controllers dispatch their responsibilities for a median hourly pay of $82.41. This figure indicates a significant premium over the national hourly median of $73.02, reflecting the competitive nature of the profession amid California's unique cost of living. Controllers typically operate in various environments, including en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers, all of which emphasize the importance of precision and efficiency. For those taking on part-time schedules, working three days a week could yield substantial earnings, as even entry-level professionals can earn $47.81 per hour, while experienced controllers push into the top range of $118.09. This hourly compensation translates into a robust income for controllers, with potential work settings having dimly-lit control rooms or panoramic tower views, impacting the daily work dynamic.
About the Eastvale 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) | $47.81 | $382.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.34 | $474.69 |
| Median (P50) | $82.41 | $659.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.49 | $843.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118.09 | $944.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eastvale
Based on $82.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.41/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eastvale, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,898. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Eastvale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eastvale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,296.60 | $14,285 | $171,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,977.96 | $8,571 | $102,854 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,318.64 | $5,714 | $68,569 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Eastvale) | $82.41 |
| 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 Eastvale, CA earn a median of $171,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.87% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% below the California state average of $171,775.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.41/hr = $102,854/year (purchasing power: $90,941).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,423/year (purchasing power: $151,568).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Eastvale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $97.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Eastvale grew 20.4% from $66.74/hr (2019) to $80.35/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.53/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 Eastvale 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 Eastvale
Part-time air traffic controllers in Eastvale, when employed for 24 hours a week, stand to earn significantly, but their earnings would differ considerably from their full-time counterparts. For instance, while a full-time air traffic controller could accumulate substantial overtime, sometimes working 50-60 hours a week, part-time employees would naturally miss out on this extra income. Many controllers routinely earn overtime, which can enhance their overall take-home pay by $50,000-$100,000 annually. Meanwhile, per diem contracts, often seen within facility transfer training, can also yield competitive wages making it crucial for controllers to assess their hourly options. Job environment factors, such as working in FAA en route centers versus small contract towers, affect hourly pay. In Eastvale, some may prefer lower hourly rates with health benefits, while others might prioritize higher hourly pay without benefits, showcasing the trade-offs inherent in ATM roles. Negotiating effectively in this landscape requires local market knowledge, making familiarity with facility types and their pay scales pivotal.
More salary data for Eastvale, CA:
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
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 Eastvale. 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 Eastvale 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