Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $70.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Allentown, PA runs $70.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,792 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,069 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for an air traffic controller in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is projected to be $70.57, slightly below the national median of $73.02. This hourly wage can provide an interesting financial outlook for those considering part-time work or per-diem roles within this profession. With air traffic controllers typically working in environments such as en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport traffic control towers, the flexibility in scheduling can be advantageous. Hourly wages in Allentown range from $40.94 at entry-level positions to $104.03 for top earners, creating varied opportunities depending on experience and facility type. It’s important to recognize that these hourly figures stem from annual salary projections, offering insight into how controllers may fare in different work settings.
About the Allentown Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.94 | $327.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.81 | $406.51 |
| Median (P50) | $70.57 | $564.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.33 | $722.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.03 | $832.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $70.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.57/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $146,782 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,682. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,822.73 | $12,232 | $146,782 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,693.64 | $7,339 | $88,069 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,129.09 | $4,893 | $58,713 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Allentown) | $70.57 |
| 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 Allentown, PA earn a median of $146,792 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.35% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $147,976.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.57/hr = $88,069/year (purchasing power: $90,420).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,782/year (purchasing power: $150,700).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$57.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Allentown grew 20.4% from $57.14/hr (2019) to $68.80/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.38/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 Allentown 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 Allentown
Examining further, part-time air traffic controllers working a 3-day week would expect to take home a different financial snapshot compared to their full-time counterparts. A controller working 24 hours weekly on the projected hourly rate might earn about $87,187 annually, a substantial income despite fewer hours. Additionally, the per diem air traffic controller pay in Allentown can be influenced significantly by overtime, which is common in this field. Controllers often exceed their base hours, particularly in understaffed environments, allowing for total compensation reaching well into six figures with overtime premiums. Variations also exist among different employers, such as FAA en route centers and military control positions, each impacting potential earnings due to differing pay structures and benefits. Some controllers choose positions with lower hourly pay for the health insurance and stability that full-time federal employment can provide, making strategic negotiation essential in a marketplace shaped by the FAA pay scale and the realities of labor demand. Understanding the nuances of air traffic controller hourly pay in Allentown can thus empower professionals to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Allentown in 2026?
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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 Allentown. 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 Allentown 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