Air Traffic Controller Salary

Monroe vs Shreveport: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between Monroe, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Monroe, LA
$125,118
$60.16/hr
Shreveport, LA
$130,592
$62.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMonroe, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$125,118$130,592
Hourly Rate$60.16$62.78
Entry Level (P10)$72,594$75,744
25th Percentile$91,979$94,026
75th Percentile$160,151$166,957
Top Earner (P90)$178,216$187,780
Total Employed728
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Monroe ($125,118) and Shreveport ($130,592) air traffic controller salaries.MonroeShreveportMedian Salary$125,118$130,592Entry Level (P10)$72,594$75,744Top Earner (P90)$178,216$187,780US Median $151,886

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Monroe.

The salary gap between Monroe and Shreveport is $5,474 (4.38%). Shreveport's median is -14.02% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Monroe spans $105,622,Shreveport spans $112,036. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced air traffic controllers.

Monroe
P10 (Entry)$72,594
P25$91,979
Median$125,118
P75$160,151
P90 (Top)$178,216
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$75,744
P25$94,026
Median$130,592
P75$166,957
P90 (Top)$187,780

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($144,620 effective) pays 4.38% more than Monroe ($138,558 effective).

Monroe
Nominal: $125,118
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $138,558
Shreveport
Nominal: $130,592
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $144,620

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Monroe if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,592/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,780)
  • Larger job market (28 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,620)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, air traffic controller salaries in Monroe grew 9.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.4% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

Monroe, LA

+9.4%

$111,457 (2024) → $121,983 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+9.4%

$116,334 (2024) → $127,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: Monroe or Shreveport?

Shreveport has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $130,592/year, compared to Monroe at $125,118/year — a difference of $5,474 (4.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Monroe and Shreveport?

Monroe air traffic controllers earn $60.16/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $62.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Monroe to Shreveport as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Monroe and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Monroe = $138,558, Shreveport = $144,620), job availability (7 vs 28 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in Monroe vs Shreveport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $72,594 in Monroe and $75,744 in Shreveport. The Shreveport area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Rodriguez, ATOData verified by Omar Patel, ATO

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.57% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov