Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Bethany, OK: $61.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Bethany, OK runs $61.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,783 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Bethany's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,664 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Bethany, OK, offers an air traffic controller hourly pay of approximately $61.43, which falls short of the national median of $73.02. This discrepancy reflects the cost of living in the area and the relatively lower demand for air traffic controllers compared to larger metropolitan regions. For part-time controllers working three days a week, the hourly rate translates to about $4,749 monthly, which allows for a flexible schedule but also entails unique challenges associated with varying shifts and limited hours. Entry-level positions can expect to earn around $35.63 per hour, while experienced professionals can ascend to about $86.40 hourly, depending on the specific facility and type of air traffic control work, which often takes place in environments ranging from bustling airport control towers to strategic FAA Academy training grounds.
About the Bethany Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.63 | $285.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.23 | $353.83 |
| Median (P50) | $61.43 | $491.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.35 | $626.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.40 | $691.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethany
Based on $61.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.43/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethany, OK can expect to earn approximately $127,773 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,715. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,457.17 | $10,648 | $127,773 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,474.30 | $6,389 | $76,664 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $982.87 | $4,259 | $51,109 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Bethany) | $61.43 |
| 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 Bethany, OK earn a median of $127,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.87% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,077.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.43/hr = $76,664/year (purchasing power: $86,236).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,773/year (purchasing power: $143,726).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bethany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Bethany grew 20.4% from $49.74/hr (2019) to $59.89/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.01/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 Bethany 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 Bethany
Analyzing the financial implications for air traffic controllers in Bethany reveals interesting dynamics. A part-time controller working just 24 hours per week could potentially earn around $56,988 annually, whereas full-time controllers might see salaries significantly boosted by overtime, often clocking in 50-60 hours weekly. This is crucial for those in understaffed facilities, as the potential for overtime at 1.5 times the base pay leads to real earnings that can include $50k-$100k+ in additional compensation. It's also important to note that hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer, with FAA en route centers, terminal radar facilities, and even military roles each offering different compensation structures. While some controllers might accept lower hourly pay for the security of a full benefits package, others may negotiate for higher wages without benefits, particularly in the current climate where the need for qualified controllers remains high. Practical negotiation strategies in Bethany should emphasize the unique regional factors and the specific needs of local organizations.
More salary data for Bethany, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Bethany in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Bethany?
Are air traffic controllers in Bethany paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Bethany?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Bethany?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Bethany. 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 Bethany 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