Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $59.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Ruston, LA runs $59.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,771 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,859 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $59.98, which reflects the region's unique economic conditions. This rate falls short of the national average of $73.02, indicating a difference in compensation likely influenced by factors like cost of living and local demand for air traffic management. For part-time and per-diem controllers, often working in settings such as en route center radar consoles or airport traffic control towers, this hourly rate translates into varying incomes depending on how frequently shifts are filled. With entry-level positions starting at approximately $34.79 and top earners reaching around $82.62 per hour, those working in Ruston can expect a broad spectrum of compensation reliant on experience and specific employer type, which includes various FAA facilities as well as contract-operated towers.
About the Ruston 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) | $34.79 | $278.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.23 | $345.87 |
| Median (P50) | $59.98 | $479.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.42 | $603.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.62 | $660.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $59.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.98/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $124,765 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,980. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,399.32 | $10,397 | $124,765 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,439.59 | $6,238 | $74,859 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $959.73 | $4,159 | $49,906 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Ruston) | $59.98 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $124,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.85% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $129,700.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.98/hr = $74,859/year (purchasing power: $82,900).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,765/year (purchasing power: $138,167).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Ruston grew 20.4% from $48.57/hr (2019) to $58.48/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.52/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
When considering financial potential, air traffic controllers who work part-time (about three days a week for a total of 24 hours) will find their annual earnings significantly less than their full-time peers. Regular overtime, typically compensated at 1.5 times the base pay, can result in substantial additional income, sometimes pushing effective hourly compensation into higher brackets, especially as many controllers operate in understaffed facilities averaging 50-60 hours per week. The differences among employer types also contribute to variations in hourly pay; controllers at FAA en route centers might receive different rates compared to those at terminal radar approach facilities or military installations. Some controllers choose lower-paying roles that offer health benefits over higher-paying, benefit-less positions with contractors. For those seeking per diem air traffic controller pay in Ruston, negotiation skills can play a crucial role, particularly with overtime arrangements and during facility transfers, presenting opportunities to maximize earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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