Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hialeah, FL: $162,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hialeah, FL earns a median $162,618/year (≈ $78.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hialeah's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $161,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Hialeah, Florida, are looking at an attractive median annual salary of $162,618 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $151,886. The expected salary range spans from $94,318 at the 10th percentile to $243,412 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the tiered nature of air traffic control roles. Controllers at higher-level facilities, such as en route Level 12 centers, typically enjoy greater earning potential compared to their terminal or tower counterparts. These salary figures are projections based on 2025 BLS data and take into account local cost-of-living adjustments, emphasizing Hialeah’s competitiveness in the air traffic control job market.
About the Hialeah Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,318 | $45.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,085 | $56.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,618 | $78.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,150 | $100.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,412 | $117.02 |
Median Salary Position
7.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hialeah
In Hialeah, FL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $149,094 (2026 est.). At $162,618, the local median is 7.07% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hialeah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hialeah Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hialeah median: $162,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hialeah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $154,579 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +7.07% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hialeah, FL earn a median of $162,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.07% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% above the Florida state average of $154,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hialeah has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hialeah, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $162,618 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,327 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$131,680
2025 BLS Actual
$158,543
2026 Current Est.
$162,618
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hialeah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,635 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,918 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,594 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,162 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,543 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,797 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hialeah metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $131,680 (2019) to $158,543 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,797 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,117 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hialeah 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) | $94,318 – $117,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,085 – $162,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,618 – $208,150 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,150 – $243,412 |
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 Hialeah
In Hialeah, there are approximately 35 air traffic controllers, indicating a specialized but robust job market. With a cost-of-living index of 100.8, the financial landscape suggests that controllers may experience slightly less purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. The FAA's en route centers generally provide higher pay than terminal facilities and control towers, making them a preferred choice for experienced controllers. The spread in pay levels is driven by various factors, including facility tier, certification status, and available shift differentials. Controllers can maximize their income in Hialeah by pursuing CPC certification, taking advantage of available overtime shifts, and actively seeking placements at high-profile facilities offering additional locality pay. Exploring opportunities in military air traffic control or Department of Defense positions can also yield promising advancements in air traffic controller pay in Hialeah, FL.
More salary data for Hialeah, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Hialeah, FL in 2026?
Is Hialeah, FL a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Hialeah?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Hialeah?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Hialeah?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $158,543 for air traffic controllersin the Hialeah 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 Hialeah 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