Air Traffic Controller Salary in Gilroy, CA: $171,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Gilroy, CA earns a median $171,853/year (≈ $82.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Gilroy's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,948 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Gilroy, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $171,853 in 2026, reflecting a solid increase compared to the national median of $151,886. The pay range is notably diverse, with entry-level positions starting around $99,674 and top earners reaching as high as $258,432. This variance in salaries is influenced by the specific facility tier and certification levels; for instance, en route facilities typically offer higher pay compared to terminal and tower facilities. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that the competitive nature of the job market, combined with the unique economic climate of Gilroy, creates appealing earning opportunities for qualified candidates in this field.
About the Gilroy Market
Salary estimated from California average ($180,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,674 | $47.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,734 | $59.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,853 | $82.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $216,537 | $104.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $258,432 | $124.24 |
Median Salary Position
13.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gilroy
In Gilroy, CA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,758 (2026 est.). At $171,853, the local median is 13.15% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gilroy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gilroy Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Gilroy median: $171,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gilroy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $151,886 | +13.15% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Gilroy, CA earn a median of $171,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.15% higher than the national median of $151,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gilroy has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gilroy, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,853 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,948 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,159
2025 BLS Actual
$167,547
2026 Current Est.
$171,853
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Gilroy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,807 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $203,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,547 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gilroy metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $139,159 (2019) to $167,547 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,111 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gilroy 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) | $99,674 – $123,734 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,734 – $171,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,853 – $216,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $216,537 – $258,432 |
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 Gilroy
With only 10 air traffic controllers employed in Gilroy, the local job market is relatively small yet specialized. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, local living expenses are higher than the national average. Major employers in the area include the FAA's terminal facilities, which offer above-average compensation compared to airport towers. Factors like facility tier, CPC certification status, and shift differentials significantly influence pay. Controllers aiming to maximize their earnings in Gilroy should consider pursuing higher-tier positions, obtaining CPC certification, and embracing opportunities for overtime, as mandatory staffing shortages have led to abundant overtime hours. Given the impending mandatory retirement age of 56, positions may open up, allowing new hires to capitalize on these upward trends in air traffic controller pay in Gilroy, CA.
More salary data for Gilroy, CA:
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
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 $167,547 for air traffic controllersin the Gilroy 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 Gilroy 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