Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in West Palm Beach, FL: $81.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in West Palm Beach, FL runs $81.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,052 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against West Palm Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $81.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,035 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller hourly pay in West Palm Beach, Florida reaches a median of $81.76, outpacing the national median of $73.02. This figure highlights the strong demand for skilled professionals in an area where controllers can work various schedules—including part-time arrangements of three days a week—across diverse environments such as en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers. The hourly pay range allows entry-level controllers to start at approximately $47.42, while seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $121.84, reflecting not only experience but also the critical nature of their role in managing air traffic safely and efficiently. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, and they position air traffic controllers in West Palm Beach favorably within the broader context of the profession.
About the West Palm Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.42 | $379.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.86 | $470.92 |
| Median (P50) | $81.76 | $654.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104.65 | $837.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121.84 | $974.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Palm Beach
Based on $81.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.76/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Palm Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $170,058 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,110. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Palm Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Palm Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,270.34 | $14,171 | $170,058 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,962.21 | $8,503 | $102,035 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,308.14 | $5,669 | $68,023 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (West Palm Beach) | $81.76 |
| 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 West Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $170,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.96% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 10.00% above the Florida state average of $154,593.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.76/hr = $102,035/year (purchasing power: $101,225).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,058/year (purchasing power: $168,708).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in West Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in West Palm Beach grew 20.4% from $66.20/hr (2019) to $79.71/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.86/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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach
In considering part-time work, a controller operating three days a week could anticipate an effective annual income well below full-time earnings, even though they achieve significant hourly rates. Per diem air traffic controller pay in West Palm Beach can fluctuate based on overtime—notably, many controllers work substantial hours due to chronic staffing shortages, often accruing earnings well above base projections. Controllers may find they can increase their annual take-home through weekend shifts and holiday coverage, driving compensation beyond initial hourly rates. Working in different facility types can also yield varying hourly rates; while FAA en route centers and terminal facilities generally pay more, there are trade-offs, such as benefits and job security, particularly for those considering roles in lower-tier facilities or FAA contract towers. Controllers often need to negotiate for the best possible terms, considering the balance between higher hourly wage offers and the accompanying benefits offered by federal positions.
More salary data for West Palm Beach, FL:
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 West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach 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