Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Wilmington, DE: $99.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Wilmington, DE runs $99.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $207,173 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $97.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $124,308 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
An air traffic controller in Wilmington, Delaware can expect a median hourly pay of $99.61, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $73.02. This hourly rate highlights the lucrative earning potential for part-time controllers who may work three days a week, allowing them to balance work-life commitments while still earning a competitive wage. The hourly earnings range from $57.77 at the lower end (P10) to $140.87 for top earners (P90), indicating a healthy salary scale that reflects experience and competency levels. As air traffic controllers typically operate from en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport towers, they find themselves in varied settings; the compensation reflects not just the responsibilities involved but also the required skill set for managing complex air traffic scenarios.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57.77 | $462.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.72 | $573.74 |
| Median (P50) | $99.61 | $796.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126.44 | $1011.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140.87 | $1126.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $99.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $99.61/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, DE can expect to earn approximately $207,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $119,527. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,984.23 | $17,265 | $207,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,390.54 | $10,359 | $124,308 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,593.69 | $6,906 | $82,872 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Wilmington) | $99.61 |
| 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 Wilmington, DE earn a median of $207,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.40% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.70% above the Delaware state average of $203,710.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $99.61/hr = $124,308/year (purchasing power: $122,230).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $207,180/year (purchasing power: $203,717).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$80.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$97.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$99.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $85.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $85.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $86.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $90.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $97.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Wilmington grew 20.4% from $80.66/hr (2019) to $97.11/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $102.17/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Focusing on part-time and per-diem opportunities reveals an even broader scope of income potential in Wilmington. An air traffic controller working 24 hours weekly would earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, but the flexibility often makes part-time work attractive. In per-diem roles, controllers might find themselves in negotiations that adjust pay based on facility transfer training, offering opportunities for varying compensation structures. Particularly in understaffed environments, many controllers may work overtime at rates of 1.5 times their base pay, resulting in a substantial increase that can add $50,000 to $100,000+ to their annual income. Different employers, such as FAA ARTCCs or TRACONs, often present a spectrum of hourly rates, with some offering federal benefits which might be appealing for those who prefer stability over short-term gains. Understanding these nuances can give air traffic controllers in Wilmington a strategic advantage during salary negotiations.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Wilmington?
Are air traffic controllers in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Wilmington?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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