Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $58.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Huntington, WV runs $58.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,169 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,695 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington, West Virginia, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $58.25, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. For part-time controllers working three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,400 weekly based on a typical 24-hour work schedule. Per-diem air traffic controller pay in Huntington adds flexibility, allowing for varied work schedules in environments like en route centers and TRACON facilities. Controllers at the lower end of the pay spectrum start around $33.79 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $84.06, highlighting a range that accommodates both entry-level positions and seasoned professionals. This hourly data is derived from annual salary figures and reflects insights from various operational settings, including control towers with expansive views and radar facilities working in dimly lit conditions to manage air traffic effectively.
About the Huntington Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.79 | $270.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.41 | $347.26 |
| Median (P50) | $58.25 | $466.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.57 | $596.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.06 | $672.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $58.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.25/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $121,159 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,899. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,329.98 | $10,097 | $121,159 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,397.99 | $6,058 | $72,695 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $931.99 | $4,039 | $48,464 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Huntington) | $58.25 |
| 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 Huntington, WV earn a median of $121,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.22% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the West Virginia state average of $124,659.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.25/hr = $72,695/year (purchasing power: $84,041).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,159/year (purchasing power: $140,068).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Huntington grew 20.4% from $47.17/hr (2019) to $56.79/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.75/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
Part-time controllers in Huntington, working just three days a week, could take home around $72,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts who may earn $121,169 per year. Moreover, many controllers, especially in understaffed facilities, regularly clock in 50 to 60 hours per week, often resulting in substantial overtime that can push their effective hourly compensation well above base rates. In this context, per-diem work can enhance earnings, and negotiations during facility transfer training can yield competitive pay opportunities. Various employer types in the area, such as FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and airport control towers, offer different rates of compensation based on their operational demands. Some air traffic controllers, facing the decision of accepting a lower hourly rate with benefits or a higher rate without, have to weigh their personal financial situations against career lifestyle considerations. Negotiating for higher compensation should focus on the value of experience and the local context of Huntington’s air traffic control challenges, where staffing and retention remain ongoing concerns.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
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 Huntington. 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 Huntington 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