Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Zachary, LA: $58.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Zachary, LA runs $58.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Zachary's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,401 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Zachary, Louisiana, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $58.01, which is considerably lower than the national median of $73.02 per hour. This wage is indicative of the local job market and reflects the role's variability in employment options, where opportunities exist in diverse environments such as en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport towers. For those considering part-time work—say, a schedule of three days a week—these professionals could expect to earn approximately $1,392 weekly before taxes. The hourly pay range for air traffic controllers in Zachary is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at around $34.27, while experienced and top-tier controllers can earn up to $81.55 per hour as they advance in their careers.
About the Zachary 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) | $34.27 | $274.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.99 | $343.90 |
| Median (P50) | $58.01 | $464.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.72 | $565.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.55 | $652.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zachary
Based on $58.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.01/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zachary, LA can expect to earn approximately $120,668 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,616. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zachary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zachary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,320.54 | $10,056 | $120,668 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,392.33 | $6,033 | $72,401 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $928.22 | $4,022 | $48,267 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Zachary) | $58.01 |
| 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 Zachary, LA earn a median of $120,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.55% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $129,757.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.01/hr = $72,401/year (purchasing power: $80,178).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,668/year (purchasing power: $133,630).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Zachary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Zachary grew 20.4% from $46.98/hr (2019) to $56.56/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.50/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 Zachary 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 Zachary
For air traffic controllers opting for part-time employment, the annual take-home pay can differ significantly compared to full-time roles. Working only 24 hours per week, a part-time controller might earn around $43,000 annually, a figure that might be considered modest in light of potential full-time earnings. However, many controllers find themselves working overtime, often clocking in 50-60 hour weeks, which can push their effective hourly compensation well beyond the base rate. For those in specialized roles at FAA facilities or military installations, negotiations regarding per diem air traffic controller pay in Zachary could lead to valuable financial benefits during transitions between positions or training. Additionally, controllers must weigh the trade-offs between higher wages without benefits and lower pay that includes substantial healthcare options—an essential consideration in a field marked by job stability and mandatory retirement at age 56. Understanding the variations among employer types—from FAA en route centers to smaller contract towers—can help prospective controllers make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Zachary, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Zachary in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Zachary?
Are air traffic controllers in Zachary paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Zachary?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Zachary?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Zachary. 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 Zachary 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