Air Traffic Controller Salary in Dunedin, FL: $148,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Dunedin, FL earns a median $148,143/year (≈ $71.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Dunedin's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $146,967 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dunedin, the projected air traffic controller salary in 2026 reaches $148,143, reflecting a competitive pay scale that factors in overtime economics common in this field. Controllers often find themselves working 50-60 hours weekly, especially at understaffed facilities, significantly boosting their overall earnings. The salary range for air traffic controllers in the area spans from $85,923 to $209,633, creating an opportunity for financial growth, especially for experienced controllers. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlighting the cost of living and job market context in Dunedin, FL.
About the Dunedin Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,923 | $41.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,808 | $51.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,143 | $71.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,659 | $90.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,633 | $100.79 |
Median Salary Position
2.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dunedin
In Dunedin, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,710 (2026 est.). At $148,143, the local median is 2.46% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dunedin: You'd be above the median
How Dunedin Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Dunedin median: $148,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dunedin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,638 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.46% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Dunedin, FL earn a median of $148,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.46% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Florida state average of $154,638.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dunedin has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dunedin, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,967 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,959
2025 BLS Actual
$144,431
2026 Current Est.
$148,143
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Dunedin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,206 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,991 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,419 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,950 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dunedin metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,959 (2019) to $144,431 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,991 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dunedin 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) | $85,923 – $107,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,808 – $148,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,143 – $188,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,659 – $209,633 |
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 Dunedin
Despite only six air traffic controllers currently employed in Dunedin, the local job market shows promise due to the area's steady growth rate of 2.57% annually. The cost of living index stands at 100.8, indicating that while expenses may be slightly above the national average, controllers can still enjoy decent purchasing power. Among the potential employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as facility level—en route positions are ranked higher than terminal and tower roles—as well as certifications and shift differentials. With chronic staffing shortages also contributing to frequent overtime, gaining experience and pursuing a comprehensive understanding of FAA pay structures can significantly impact how much do air traffic controllers make in Dunedin.
More salary data for Dunedin, 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
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 $144,431 for air traffic controllersin the Dunedin 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 Dunedin 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