Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Pueblo, CO: $78.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Pueblo, CO runs $78.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $163,986 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Pueblo's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,386 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pueblo, Colorado, the projected air traffic controller hourly pay for 2026 is $78.84, surpassing the national median of $73.02. This translates to more than just a healthy paycheck, particularly for those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities in various settings such as en route center radar consoles and airport traffic control towers. Controllers often work under the demanding conditions of control rooms or aircraft operations cabs, with shifts that shape their weekly schedules. With an hourly range from $45.73 for entry-level positions to $118.31 for top earners, this profession displays significant earning potential, allowing individuals to adjust their work-life balance while reaping the benefits of this competitive hourly rate.
About the Pueblo Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.73 | $365.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.76 | $454.10 |
| Median (P50) | $78.84 | $630.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100.92 | $807.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118.31 | $946.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pueblo
Based on $78.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.84/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pueblo, CO can expect to earn approximately $163,977 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,602. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pueblo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pueblo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,153.41 | $13,665 | $163,977 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,892.05 | $8,199 | $98,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,261.36 | $5,466 | $65,591 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Pueblo) | $78.84 |
| 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 Pueblo, CO earn a median of $163,986 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.97% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% above the Colorado state average of $163,008.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.84/hr = $98,386/year (purchasing power: $93,701).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $163,977/year (purchasing power: $156,169).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$63.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Pueblo grew 20.4% from $63.84/hr (2019) to $76.86/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.86/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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo
The flexibility of part-time air traffic controller work in Pueblo allows practitioners to earn a respectable income while only working three days a week, potentially amassing savings that rival full-timers. While most controllers are full-time federal employees under the FAA's FG pay scale, those taking on per-diem roles often enjoy more lucrative setups. Many in the field work overtime, sometimes exceeding 50 hours a week, resulting in overall compensation that can balloon their effective hourly rates well past base pay. The environment in Pueblo includes various employers, from FAA en route centers to military control installations, each offering different hourly rates and benefits. Choices between higher hourly pay without benefits versus slightly lower pay with ample health coverage reflect personal priorities and financial strategies. Negotiating effectively, especially in a chronic understaffing scenario post-2013 sequester, can be pivotal for local controllers aiming for better compensation and working conditions.
More salary data for Pueblo, CO:
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 Pueblo. 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 Pueblo 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