A method and system for controlling a transmit power level based upon queue delay for packets in a wireless packet data system is described. Packet data throughput can be improved for selected links based upon queue delay, e.g., those data packets which have experienced a lengthy queue delay can be provided with a higher quality link by increasing their transmit power. The determination of whether or not to prioritize data packets through increased transmit power can be made based upon, for example, a subscriber's QoS profile.