Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Bentonville, AR: $59.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Bentonville, AR runs $59.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,128 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Bentonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,475 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the air traffic controller hourly pay stands at a median of $59.68, which is significantly lower than the national median of $73.02. This rate reflects the unique working environments air traffic controllers operate in, varying from en route radar facilities devoid of natural light to bustling control towers equipped with panoramic views of airport operations. For part-time professionals working three days a week, the flexibility can be enticing, yet it translates into earning potential that may depend heavily on hours worked within the typical structure of day-shift, swing-shift, and night-shift schedules. Entry-level positions in Bentonville start at around $34.62 per hour, while top earners in the field can make up to $84.29, illustrating a significant earning trajectory as controllers gain experience and skills.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.62 | $276.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.48 | $347.84 |
| Median (P50) | $59.68 | $477.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.69 | $605.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.29 | $674.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bentonville
Based on $59.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.68/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bentonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $124,124 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,610. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bentonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bentonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,387.01 | $10,344 | $124,124 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,432.21 | $6,206 | $74,475 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $954.80 | $4,137 | $49,650 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Bentonville) | $59.68 |
| 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 Bentonville, AR earn a median of $124,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.28% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $125,636.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.68/hr = $74,475/year (purchasing power: $85,702).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,124/year (purchasing power: $142,836).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Bentonville grew 20.4% from $48.32/hr (2019) to $58.18/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.21/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 Bentonville 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 Bentonville
For those considering part-time or per diem arrangements in Bentonville's air traffic control landscape, the actual earnings can reveal quite a bit about the profession's dynamics. A controller working 24 hours a week stands to earn approximately $74,785 annually if working solely from the base hourly rate, which is a stark contrast to the compensation potential of full-time staff who often clock in additional hours. Many controllers find themselves working overtime due to chronic understaffing, with rates at 1.5 times the base hourly wage effectively raising their annual income by $50,000 to $100,000 through overtime pay. This reality makes the compensation for agency or locum positions more attractive despite potentially higher rates offered by certain employers. Controllers in Bentonville may also see differing hourly rates depending on their specific placement, whether at FAA en route centers, TRACONs, or contracted towers, requiring negotiation skills to secure favorable terms, especially when weighing the benefits of health insurance against higher wage offers without benefits.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Bentonville in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Bentonville. 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 Bentonville 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