Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Texarkana, AR: $70,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Texarkana, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,099 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Texarkana's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,666 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,860) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of air traffic control in Texarkana, Arkansas can expect a starting air traffic controller salary of approximately $70,099. While this figure is significantly lower than the projected median annual salary of $120,860 for the region, it offers a solid foundation upon which early-career professionals can build. Over the first few years, entry-level controllers can realistically anticipate some growth in their compensation, moving from the P10 figure to around $88,484 as they gain experience and take on more responsibilities. Despite being below the national median of $151,886, the market in Texarkana remains an attractive option for new graduates, particularly with an industry growth rate of 2.57% expected over the next several years.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Texarkana
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Texarkana, AR typically start between $70,099 and $88,484 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $101,771 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,860 — 20.43% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Arkansas of $22,000 represents just 31.38% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($70,099/year) in Texarkana. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Texarkana
- 1Research the Texarkana market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $70,099 to $88,484, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Texarkana, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Texarkana for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Texarkana's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Texarkana is $101,771 ( 145.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,099, experienced hygienists can earn up to $171,870.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,550
2025 BLS Actual
$68,343
2026 Current Est.
$70,099
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,134 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,343 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,901 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Texarkana, AR grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,550 in 2019 to $68,343 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $71,901. New graduates entering the Texarkana job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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.
Starting Your aviation Career in Texarkana
In Texarkana, the primary employer for new graduates is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recruits through various initiatives, including the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) and public bid windows aimed at candidates under age 31 who are not military veterans. Aspiring controllers should ensure they meet specific qualifications, such as U.S. citizenship, passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and completing initial qualification training at the FAA Academy. Credentialing doesn't end there; new controllers must undergo facility-specific training, which can take an additional 1-3 years to achieve full certification. During the initial years, recent graduates can expect realistic salary growth as they navigate their training, particularly in light of the industry's chronic understaffing that has led to consistent demand for air traffic services. Controllers are federal employees on the FG pay scale, with the potential for salaries to rise significantly with experience, particularly as they move to higher-tier en route facilities across the country.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Texarkana in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Texarkana?
Is aviation school worth it in Texarkana?
What do new air traffic controllers make right out of school in Texarkana?
How do I become a air traffic controller in Arkansas?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Texarkana. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Texarkana 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