Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Longview, TX: $69.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Longview, TX runs $69.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,166 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Longview's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,096 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Longview, Texas, air traffic controllers are expected to earn a median hourly rate of $69.79 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $73.02. This hourly pay reflects the demands of a profession that operates within stressful environments, such as en route centers and airport traffic control towers. For part-time workers, who may typically be scheduled three days a week, this translates to an annual income that can be significant, though it might be less than their full-time counterparts. The hourly wage range for controllers in Longview falls between $40.47 at the entry level (10th percentile) and up to $99.84 for the highest earners (90th percentile), allowing for various entry points into the field. These figures, indicative of 2026 projections based on 2025 BLS data, highlight the diverse potential in air traffic controller hourly pay in Longview.
About the Longview Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.47 | $323.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.25 | $401.99 |
| Median (P50) | $69.79 | $558.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.06 | $712.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.84 | $798.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Longview
Based on $69.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.79/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Longview, TX can expect to earn approximately $145,160 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,746. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Longview.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Longview
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,791.55 | $12,097 | $145,160 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,674.93 | $7,258 | $87,096 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,116.62 | $4,839 | $58,064 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Longview) | $69.79 |
| 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 Longview, TX earn a median of $145,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.42% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $145,749.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.79/hr = $87,096/year (purchasing power: $90,725).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,160/year (purchasing power: $151,209).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Longview grew 20.4% from $56.51/hr (2019) to $68.04/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.58/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 Longview 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 Longview
Considering the realities that air traffic controllers face, those working part-time or in per-diem roles can anticipate unique financial situations. With an annual workload of 24 hours a week, the income for part-time controllers could indeed differ markedly from that of full-timers who regularly work standard hours. Moreover, many controllers, particularly those at understaffed facilities, find themselves working overtime, which pays at 1.5 times the standard rate. This can lead to effective hourly compensation significantly exceeding base pay, with some controllers earning upwards of $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime annually. Various employer types, including FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and military facilities, offer different pay scales. Additionally, some may opt for positions with less hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For those negotiating their hourly rate in Longview, it's essential to balance immediate pay against long-term benefits, especially in a field characterized by mandatory retirement at age 56 and a strong union presence through NATCA, which affects job security and contractual obligations.
More salary data for Longview, TX:
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 Longview. 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 Longview 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