Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Los Lunas, NM: $66.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Los Lunas, NM runs $66.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,279 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Los Lunas's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,373 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Lunas, NM, air traffic controllers command a median hourly pay of $66.00, falling below the national median of $73.02. This hourly rate allows for lucrative potential for both part-time and per-diem workers, with environments ranging from busy airport towers to en route centers, where controllers manage traffic flow from radar consoles. Entry-level positions may start around $38.99, while experienced professionals can earn up to $90.60 per hour. Such variances reflect not only experience but also the unique operational demands faced by controllers working in different settings. For example, those stationed in TRACON facilities often deal with high-volume traffic close to airports, while en route controllers handle flights across extensive airspace.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.99 | $311.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.85 | $390.83 |
| Median (P50) | $66.00 | $528.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.79 | $662.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.60 | $724.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Lunas
Based on $66.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.00/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Lunas, NM can expect to earn approximately $137,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,205. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Lunas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Lunas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,640.15 | $11,441 | $137,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,584.09 | $6,864 | $82,373 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,056.06 | $4,576 | $54,915 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Los Lunas) | $66.00 |
| 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 Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $137,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.62% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $147,770.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.00/hr = $82,373/year (purchasing power: $87,259).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,288/year (purchasing power: $145,432).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Los Lunas grew 20.4% from $53.45/hr (2019) to $64.35/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.70/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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
Part-time air traffic controllers working three days a week can take home a significant income without the full-time commitment, earning around $102,336 annually for a 24-hour work week. This flexible option contrasts starkly with the demanding hours many full-time controllers face, who can frequently find themselves working 50 to 60 hours a week due to chronic understaffing in facilities. The potential for overtime pay, which can elevate earnings to substantially higher levels, is especially prevalent among controllers at FAA facilities, where many clock in excess hours. Per diem arrangements also open up opportunities for agency work; however, those considering contract positions must weigh the lack of benefits against possibly higher hourly rates. Negotiating effectively in Los Lunas can involve emphasizing your unique skills or previous experiences, which may help in securing positions at diverse facility types, whether in FAA TRACONs or military air traffic control settings.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Los Lunas in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Los Lunas?
Are air traffic controllers in Los Lunas paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Los Lunas?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Los Lunas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 Los Lunas. 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 Los Lunas 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