Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Hammond, LA: $58.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Hammond, LA runs $58.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,922 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Hammond's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,156 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hammond, Louisiana, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $58.62, which is considerably lower than the national average of $73.02. This disparity can significantly impact part-time and per-diem workers in the field. An air traffic controller working three days a week would find their earnings structured around this hourly rate, which translates to about $1,000 weekly for a 40-hour workweek. Working in various settings like en route center radar consoles or in airport traffic control tower cabs, these professionals can experience a wide range in compensation, from an entry-level hourly rate of $34.00 to a peak hour rate of $81.52. While the numbers represent estimated projections based on annual salary data, they provide valuable insight into the earning potential for air traffic controllers operating in the Hammond area.
About the Hammond Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.00 | $272.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.85 | $342.83 |
| Median (P50) | $58.62 | $468.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.32 | $594.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.52 | $652.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hammond
Based on $58.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.62/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hammond, LA can expect to earn approximately $121,927 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,343. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hammond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hammond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,344.75 | $10,161 | $121,927 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,406.85 | $6,096 | $73,156 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $937.90 | $4,064 | $48,771 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Hammond) | $58.62 |
| 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 Hammond, LA earn a median of $121,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.73% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.00% below the Louisiana state average of $129,704.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.62/hr = $73,156/year (purchasing power: $81,015).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,927/year (purchasing power: $135,024).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hammond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Hammond grew 20.4% from $47.47/hr (2019) to $57.15/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.13/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 Hammond 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 Hammond
For those considering part-time opportunities, the financial realities differ significantly between working three days a week versus full-time employment. An air traffic controller on a part-time schedule could expect to take home around $45,000 annually, a stark contrast to their peers in full-time roles who capitalize on overtime, significantly boosting their effective hourly compensation. Many controllers find themselves clocking in 50-60 hours weekly, leading to total earnings that can substantially exceed $100,000 due to overtime pay. In Hammond, variations also emerge depending on employer types, including FAA en route centers and contract towers, which may offer different pay scales. While some opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, others choose to work for organizations that provide health coverage, understanding the trade-offs involved. Therefore, as aspiring controllers negotiate their hourly pay in Hammond, they should consider not just the base rate but also the potential for overtime and benefits in their decision-making process.
More salary data for Hammond, LA:
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 Hammond. 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 Hammond 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