Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Albertville, AL: $58.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Albertville, AL runs $58.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,336 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Albertville's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,798 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Albertville, Alabama, earn a median hourly rate of $58.33, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This difference in compensation reflects local economic conditions and the cost of living in the area, where the index is reported at 87.9, indicating it is less expensive than the national average. For part-time controllers working approximately three days a week, this hourly wage could offer a practical livelihood in a field characterized by its demanding schedule and responsibilities, particularly in settings such as en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and control towers. The entry-level hourly pay starts at $33.84, while the highest earners can see an impressive rate of $77.90, illustrating a wide range of opportunities for income based on experience, facility type, and skill level.
About the Albertville Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.84 | $270.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.04 | $352.35 |
| Median (P50) | $58.33 | $466.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.84 | $574.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.90 | $623.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albertville
Based on $58.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.33/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albertville, AL can expect to earn approximately $121,330 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,998. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albertville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albertville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,333.26 | $10,111 | $121,330 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,399.96 | $6,066 | $72,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $933.30 | $4,044 | $48,532 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Albertville) | $58.33 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Albertville, AL earn a median of $121,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.11% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Alabama state average of $126,656.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.33/hr = $72,798/year (purchasing power: $82,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,330/year (purchasing power: $138,031).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Albertville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Albertville grew 20.4% from $47.23/hr (2019) to $56.87/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.83/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albertville 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Albertville
Examining the potential for income reveals significant opportunities for part-time controllers and per diem air traffic controller pay in Albertville. A part-time worker logging 24 hours per week could expect to earn approximately $45,504 annually, which shows a stark difference compared to full-time earners. Many controllers work overtime, often significantly, driven by chronic staffing shortages. With effective hourly compensation soaring beyond base rates thanks to overtime—often pushing earnings to $50,000 to $100,000 more—it is common for controllers at high-demand facilities to work 50 to 60 hours a week. Moreover, hourly rates can vary considerably based on employment types. Positions in FAA en route centers and military control facilities may offer unique benefits that prompt controllers to consider lower hourly wages for the security of health insurance compared to contracting roles, where pay might be higher but benefits are scarce. Those navigating negotiations should consider the entire compensation package, including potential bonuses for peak hours and shift differentials, making the landscape of air traffic controller hourly pay in Albertville both competitive and variable.
More salary data for Albertville, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Albertville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Albertville 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