Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in La Vista, NE: $60.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in La Vista, NE runs $60.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against La Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,076 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Vista, Nebraska, the hourly rate for air traffic controllers is projected to be $60.16 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This difference can impact individuals considering part-time roles or per-diem employment, particularly in environments such as en route center radar consoles and airport traffic control towers. For air traffic controllers working just three days per week, their earnings are a critical consideration. With an hourly range stretching from $35.46 for entry-level positions to $82.77 for those at the higher end of experience and responsibility, there is clear compensation variation. Understanding this hourly framework is crucial for both current practitioners and new entrants into the profession as estimates typically reflect the annual salary data divided into hourly rates.
About the La Vista Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.46 | $283.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.66 | $357.27 |
| Median (P50) | $60.16 | $481.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.58 | $604.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.77 | $662.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Vista
Based on $60.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.16/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Vista, NE can expect to earn approximately $125,127 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,189. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,406.29 | $10,427 | $125,127 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,443.78 | $6,256 | $75,076 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $962.52 | $4,171 | $50,051 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (La Vista) | $60.16 |
| 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 La Vista, NE earn a median of $125,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.62% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $134,390.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.16/hr = $75,076/year (purchasing power: $82,051).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,127/year (purchasing power: $136,751).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in La Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in La Vista grew 20.4% from $48.71/hr (2019) to $58.65/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.70/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 La Vista 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 La Vista
Focusing on the earnings potential for part-time air traffic controllers, those working 24 hours a week could expect a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time peers. For instance, dedicating themselves to just three days weekly limits overall compensation, making overtime a desirable scenario. Given the chronic understaffing in many FAA facilities since the 2013 sequester, many controllers often accumulate substantial overtime, sometimes reaching 50-60 hours a week, which can raise their effective hourly compensation significantly above the base pay. This demand also creates a unique landscape for per diem air traffic controller pay in La Vista, allowing for negotiability during facility transfer training. The hourly rates across different employer types—ranging from FAA en route centers to contract towers—further emphasize the need for an informed negotiation strategy. In La Vista, air traffic controllers balancing hourly rates with benefits must weigh the trade-off between a higher hourly pay without benefits and potentially lower rates that offer health insurance, a crucial factor for many in this profession.
More salary data for La Vista, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in La Vista in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in La Vista?
Are air traffic controllers in La Vista paid hourly or salary?
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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 La Vista. 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 La Vista 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