14.9% higher than the US national median ($148,075)
Verified BLS OEWS data · Updated May 18, 2026
Source: BLS OEWS · Published May 15, 2026
Next refresh: May 2027
Get notified when this number updates
Personal or work email, both work. No account needed. Unsubscribe anytime.
The median salary for Air Traffic Controllers in Texas is $170,082 per year ($81.77/hr). This is 14.9% higher than the national median of $148,075.
About This Role
BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
Wage Percentiles: Texas
Hourly & annualized (2,080 hours) · National adjusted
Percentile
Hourly Rate
Annual Salary
vs National
P10Entry level
$43.47
$90,418
+15.3%
P25
$51.92
$107,994
+3.3%
P50MEDIAN
$81.77
$170,082
+14.9%
P75
$97.40
$202,592
+6.3%
P90Top earners
$106.84
$222,227
+3.1%
Get the full percentile report
P10–P90 breakdown, career outlook, industry wages, and JOLTS market signal for Air Traffic Controllers
Free. No account needed. Unsubscribe anytime.
Career Outlook
BLS Employment Projections · 2024-2034
10-year growth
+1.2%
About as fast as average
Annual openings
2K
per year, on avg
Workforce today
24K
as of 2024
Why those openings exist
1% from new growth99% from people leaving the role
Most openings come from replacement, not growth. Retention matters more than recruiting here.
Typical entry requirements
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Industry Wage Breakdown
Top 2 industries by employment · median annual wage, sector-specific
Industry
Workforce
Median Pay
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
NAICS 999100
21K
$156,250
Support Activities for Air Transportation
NAICS 488100
1K
$83,890
Wage range across top 5 industries: $83,890 to $156,250 (86% spread)
See the complete picture
Full percentile breakdown · JOLTS market signals · Geographic comparison · AI analyst briefs
No credit card required · 770+ occupations · 393 metros
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median air traffic controllers salary in Texas?
The median (P50) annual salary for Air Traffic Controllers in Texas is approximately $170,082, based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. This is 14.9% higher than the national median of $148,075. For the full P10–P90 breakdown and market context, open CompSignal.
Wage figures on this page come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release. OEWS surveys roughly 1.1 million establishments annually. It is the most comprehensive employer-reported wage dataset in the United States.
P10 through P90 percentiles represent the wage distribution across all surveyed employers (not self-reported by workers). Geographic adjustments use BLS-derived cost multipliers calibrated from regional wage variation.
Wages are estimates. Individual compensation depends on experience, education, employer size, industry, and negotiation. Use this as benchmark context, not absolute ground truth.
CompSignal is a free labor market intelligence tool built for HR, compensation, and talent acquisition teams. We make BLS data, the same primary source Mercer and Radford cross-reference in their paid surveys, searchable and actionable without an enterprise subscription.
Built and maintained by Falcon Incentives, a compensation strategy and incentive design consultancy.