Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Starkville, MS: $60.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Starkville, MS runs $60.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Starkville's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,947 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Starkville, Mississippi, the projected air traffic controller hourly pay for 2026 stands at $60.85, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $73.02. For part-time controllers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into an annual income of roughly $47,000, which may appeal to those prioritizing work-life balance. Typical working environments for air traffic controllers include en route centers, terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, and airport traffic control towers, each providing unique operational settings. Entry-level positions can start at around $35.29 per hour, while top earners in the field might reach up to $83.92 per hour. With an increasing demand for air traffic controllers, particularly due to staffing shortages, the hourly rates are estimated from available salary data, reflecting both the complexities of the role and the varying demands across different types of facilities in Starkville.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.29 | $282.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.36 | $362.85 |
| Median (P50) | $60.85 | $486.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.30 | $610.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.92 | $671.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Starkville
Based on $60.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.85/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Starkville, MS can expect to earn approximately $126,578 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,026. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Starkville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Starkville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,434.19 | $10,548 | $126,578 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,460.51 | $6,329 | $75,947 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $973.68 | $4,219 | $50,631 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Starkville) | $60.85 |
| 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 Starkville, MS earn a median of $126,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $130,226.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.85/hr = $75,947/year (purchasing power: $88,619).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,578/year (purchasing power: $147,699).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Starkville grew 20.4% from $49.28/hr (2019) to $59.33/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.42/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 Starkville 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 Starkville
Considering the earning potential within a part-time framework, an air traffic controller working just 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $47,000 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. For those in per diem roles, pay can fluctuate based on the hours worked and the demand of the facility. Many controllers find themselves working substantial overtime—often between 50 to 60 hours a week—which allows for a considerable bump in effective hourly compensation, with estimates suggesting thousands of dollars in overtime pay could push total earnings to between $50,000 and $100,000 more annually. Hourly rates can vary by employer type; FAA en route centers and military ATC positions may offer different compensation packages. The potential trade-off between higher hourly wages with no benefits versus slightly lower pay with health insurance also influences career decisions for air traffic controllers in Starkville. Negotiation can be key, especially in a market that values experience and reliability, especially in a profession grappling with chronic staffing concerns and the impending retirement of its workforce.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Starkville. 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 Starkville 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