Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $96.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Sacramento, CA runs $96.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $201,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $90.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $120,801 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the hourly compensation for an air traffic controller is projected to be $96.80 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This disparity highlights the region's competitive hiring environment, especially given the chronic understaffing that has plagued the FAA. Controllers work in various settings, including en route centers, TRACONs, and airport traffic control towers, where they manage air traffic efficiently. For part-time controllers, typically working three days a week, this hourly rate allows for a respectable income, whereas the hourly range for entry-level positions starts at $39.85 and can reach up to $111.29 for top earners. Such competitive pay makes the role appealing to those seeking to enter the aviation field, whether through traditional pathways or alternative routes like per diem air traffic controller positions in Sacramento.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.85 | $318.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.57 | $556.59 |
| Median (P50) | $96.80 | $774.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102.83 | $822.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.29 | $890.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $96.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $96.80/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $201,334 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $116,154. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,871.81 | $16,778 | $201,334 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,323.09 | $10,067 | $120,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,548.72 | $6,711 | $80,534 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Sacramento) | $96.80 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $201,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.56% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 17.20% above the California state average of $171,787.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $96.80/hr = $120,801/year (purchasing power: $113,247).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $201,334/year (purchasing power: $188,745).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$72.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$94.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$96.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $78.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $82.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $83.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $87.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $92.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $94.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Sacramento grew 30.7% from $72.23/hr (2019) to $94.37/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $99.28/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Exploring the specifics of part-time earning potential reveals that a controller working 24 hours a week can still take home a commendable salary annually, although full-time positions promise greater rewards. For many in this profession, overtime hours—frequently exceeding 50-60 each week—can dramatically elevate earnings, resulting in total compensation that may easily surpass $100,000 per year when including additional pay from extended shifts. The differing hourly rates can also vary across employer types; FAA en route centers and TRACONs typically offer higher wages compared to smaller airport towers. Furthermore, some controllers might opt for positions that provide health insurance benefits despite a lower hourly rate due to personal financial considerations. Negotiation plays a crucial role in this industry, and understanding Sacramento's unique job market dynamics is essential for those seeking optimal air traffic controller hourly pay in CA.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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