Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $60.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Fayetteville, AR runs $60.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,921 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Fayetteville, Arkansas, offers air traffic controllers an hourly median pay of $60.83, which lags behind the national median of $73.02. This rate reflects the estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and can impact individuals looking for part-time opportunities in this profession. Controllers working three days a week can expect to earn significantly, but their per diem options might contribute additional income depending on their work settings. These work environments include en route centers, TRACON radar facilities, and airport traffic control towers, each with unique perspectives and operational demands. For entry-level positions in Fayetteville, hourly wages begin at $35.28, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $86.20 per hour, showcasing a wide spectrum of compensation within this critical aviation role.
About the Fayetteville 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) | $35.28 | $282.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.39 | $355.14 |
| Median (P50) | $60.83 | $486.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.13 | $617.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.20 | $689.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $60.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.83/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $126,535 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,001. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,433.37 | $10,545 | $126,535 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,460.02 | $6,327 | $75,921 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $973.35 | $4,218 | $50,614 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Fayetteville) | $60.83 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $126,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% above the Arkansas state average of $125,647.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.83/hr = $75,921/year (purchasing power: $87,366).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,535/year (purchasing power: $145,610).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Fayetteville grew 20.4% from $49.26/hr (2019) to $59.31/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.40/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Focusing on part-time employment, a controller working 24 hours per week in Fayetteville would take home approximately $75,000 annually, while full-time counterparts typically earn more robust figures. However, many controllers working per diem or agency positions see their earnings rise due to overtime opportunities, which can catapult their effective hourly compensation well above the base rate. Some facility controllers find themselves working 50-60 hours a week, enabling them to pull in an additional $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime annually, making this structure appealing for those in understaffed areas. Hourly pay varies across employers in the region, with FAA en route centers offering different rates compared to TRACONs and military facilities. Controllers must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits or lower rates with comprehensive health insurance options. As air traffic control in Fayetteville evolves, understanding the negotiation landscape can help prospective controllers maximize their hourly earnings and benefits.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Fayetteville in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Fayetteville?
Are air traffic controllers in Fayetteville paid hourly or salary?
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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 Fayetteville. 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 Fayetteville 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