Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Anna, TX: $82,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Anna, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,686 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Anna's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,131 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,562) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective air traffic controllers beginning their careers in Anna, Texas can expect a starting air traffic controller salary of $82,686 in 2026, which serves as a solid entry point into the profession. This figure, while significantly lower than the city's median salary of $142,562, provides a pathway for growth as new graduates can anticipate salary increases to around $104,039 by reaching the 25th percentile within the first few years. This upward trajectory allows new employees to grow into the median salary range as they accumulate experience, a reassuring factor for recent graduates eager to join the ranks of this essential profession. Given Anna's robust job market with current employment opportunities for air traffic controllers, new graduates have a favorable outlook for entering the field successfully.
About the Anna Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Anna
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 Anna
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Anna, TX typically start between $82,686 and $104,039 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $124,559 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,562 — 6.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Texas of $38,000 represents just 45.96% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($82,686/year) in Anna. 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 Anna
- 1Research the Anna market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $82,686 to $104,039, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Anna, 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 Anna for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Anna's moderate 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 Anna is $124,559 ( 150.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,686, experienced hygienists can earn up to $207,245.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,242
2025 BLS Actual
$80,614
2026 Current Est.
$82,686
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Anna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,242 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,796 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,322 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,811 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Anna, TX grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,242 in 2019 to $80,614 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,811. New graduates entering the Anna job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anna 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 Anna
Employers in Anna primarily include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which actively hires entry-level applicants through various paths. New graduates typically apply through the FAA's Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships, which enhance their employability by providing specialized training. Additionally, the FAA opens hiring windows for "off-the-street" applicants, but candidates must be under age 31 unless they are military veterans. Gaining proper credentials, such as US citizenship, completing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test, and successfully attending Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, can significantly bolster starting pay as well. Career opportunities within the federal employment framework mean that once on board, controllers are compensated according to the FG pay scale, with growth potential that could lead to substantial salaries at more prominent en route facilities. Given that air traffic controllers face mandatory retirement at age 56 and a history of understaffing, those successful in securing a position can expect an engaging and financially rewarding career ahead.
More salary data for Anna, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Anna. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Anna 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