Abstract: A transmit power control system and method is provided which utilizes an efficient allocation of average output power of a multi-carrier power amplifier (MCPA), the average output power being a weighted average of the actual power over multiple time slots. Periodically, using the efficient allocation system and method, there will be short periods where the desired average output power will exceed the maximum tolerable power of the MCPA, PMCPA. These short periods in which the desired output power will exceed PMCPA are handled by a system and method which produces a reduced margin between the total power per time slot and PMCPA This reduced margin allows the MCPA to serve a larger number of users per time slot than conventional MCPAs. Alternatively, the MCPA can serve the same number of users as a conventional MCPA, but with higher demands on output power for each user and/or more efficient use of the MCPA's resources.