Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Jackson, MS: $45.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Jackson, MS runs $45.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,067 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,438 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Mississippi, air traffic controllers command a median hourly rate of $45.22, significantly beneath the national median of $73.02. This lower rate reflects the local economic landscape and influences the appeal of positions in various settings, such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport towers. Workers who opt for part-time schedules could find themselves earning a feasible income, particularly in roles that often require 24-hour shifts over three days per week. Additionally, the hourly pay range spans from $36.16 at entry-level positions to $59.17 for experienced controllers, offering a glimpse into the financial trajectory of professionals in this field. These figures come from reliable data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.16 | $289.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.59 | $316.74 |
| Median (P50) | $45.22 | $361.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.63 | $445.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.17 | $473.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $45.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.22/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, MS can expect to earn approximately $94,064 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,268. With a cost-of-living index of 89.05 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,808.92 | $7,839 | $94,064 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,085.35 | $4,703 | $56,438 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $723.57 | $3,135 | $37,626 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Jackson) | $45.22 |
| 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 Jackson, MS earn a median of $94,067 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.07% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 27.70% below the Mississippi state average of $130,106.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.22/hr = $56,438/year (purchasing power: $63,380).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,064/year (purchasing power: $105,633).
CoL index: 89.048 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Jackson grew 20.7% from $36.52/hr (2019) to $44.09/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.39/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
For part-time controllers in Jackson, working three days a week equates to an annual income of approximately $56,160, a solid entry-point for those starting in the profession compared to full-time earners. However, many controllers increase their earnings significantly through overtime, with common workloads resulting in 50-60 hours per week, effectively raising compensation levels well beyond base rates. These high-demand hours can translate into total annual earnings of $50,000 to $100,000 or more for many Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) fortunate enough to work at understaffed facilities. Pay varies among employers, with FAA en route centers, FAA tower operations, and military ATC presenting unique compensation structures and benefits. Some controllers choose positions with lower hourly rates but stable health insurance, illustrating the trade-off between hourly pay and job security. Given this multifaceted context, it’s important for those considering an air traffic controller career in Jackson to weigh the distinct advantages and challenges associated with the hourly pay structure.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
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 Jackson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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