Air Traffic Controller Salary in El Mirage, AZ: $145,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in El Mirage, AZ earns a median $145,056/year (≈ $69.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in El Mirage's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $147,265 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in El Mirage, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $145,056, which positions them slightly below the national average of $151,886. The local earning potential ranges from $84,132 at the 10th percentile to $208,506 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variability in compensation based on experience and facility tier. Controllers working at en route Level 12 facilities generally command higher salaries than their counterparts in terminal and tower operations. These numbers are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they reflect local market dynamics and regional price adjustments that can impact air traffic controller pay in El Mirage AZ.
About the El Mirage Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,132 | $40.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,597 | $51.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,056 | $69.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,671 | $89.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,506 | $100.24 |
Median Salary Position
4.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Mirage
In El Mirage, AZ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,374 (2026 est.). At $145,056, the local median is 4.5% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Mirage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Mirage Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
El Mirage median: $145,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Mirage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $149,542 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.50% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in El Mirage, AZ earn a median of $145,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.00% below the Arizona state average of $149,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Mirage has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Mirage, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $145,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,265 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,459
2025 BLS Actual
$141,421
2026 Current Est.
$145,056
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in El Mirage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,555 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,915 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,202 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,421 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,783 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Mirage metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,459 (2019) to $141,421 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,783 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,324 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Mirage 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,132 – $107,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,597 – $145,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,056 – $185,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,671 – $208,506 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in El Mirage
The job market for air traffic controllers in El Mirage comprises just eight professionals, indicating a specialist niche within the broader Arizona market. The cost of living index here stands at 98.5, suggesting that workers enjoy relatively favorable purchasing power compared to many other areas. Among the various employers, FAA en route centers typically offer higher pay and benefits, especially for certified Professional Controllers (CPC), while positions in terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers provide different compensation levels. Pay disparities are often driven by factors such as facility tier, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and locality pay. Aspiring controllers can enhance their earnings by considering en route positions, obtaining CPC certification, and seeking out shifts with additional pay incentives, capitalizing on the ongoing demand amid staffing challenges in the field.
More salary data for El Mirage, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in El Mirage?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $141,421 for air traffic controllersin the El Mirage metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for El Mirage 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