Air Traffic Controller Salary in Alabaster, AL: $122,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Alabaster, AL earns a median $122,741/year (≈ $59.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Alabaster's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $139,637 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $122,741 in 2026, air traffic controllers in Alabaster, Alabama, receive compensation that reflects both local economic conditions and the specific demands of their role. The salary range spans from $71,798 at the 10th percentile to $176,279 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variety of pay levels influenced by experience, certification status, and facility type. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. The potential for favorable earnings is evident for those in the profession, especially given that controllers can expect to move through a certification timeline of 1-3 years to achieve full pay, which significantly impacts total lifetime earnings.
About the Alabaster Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,798 | $34.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,950 | $43.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,741 | $59.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,282 | $73.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,279 | $84.75 |
Median Salary Position
19.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alabaster
In Alabaster, AL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,481 (2026 est.). At $122,741, the local median is 19.19% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alabaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alabaster Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Alabaster median: $122,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alabaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $126,668 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -19.19% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Alabaster, AL earn a median of $122,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.19% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% below the Alabama state average of $126,668.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alabaster has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alabaster, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $122,741 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,637 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,390
2025 BLS Actual
$119,666
2026 Current Est.
$122,741
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Alabaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,874 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,019 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,502 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,666 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabaster metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $99,390 (2019) to $119,666 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,506 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabaster 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,798 – $90,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,950 – $122,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,741 – $153,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,282 – $176,279 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Alabaster
The local job market supports eight air traffic controllers, providing a unique opportunity for prospective candidates in Alabaster. With the cost-of-living index at 87.9, the purchasing power of salaries in this area is relatively strong, allowing controllers to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Operations within the Federal Aviation Administration, particularly at terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and en route centers, typically offer the highest pay due to the complexity and volume of traffic handled. Variances in air traffic controller pay in Alabaster stem from factors such as facility types, CPC certification status, and shift differentials which can add a substantial premium to base salaries. For those looking to maximize earnings, strategically targeting opportunities for overtime and securing positions at higher-tier facilities will prove advantageous, particularly in an environment where chronic understaffing has elevated the need for willing controllers to step up across shifts.
More salary data for Alabaster, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $119,666 for air traffic controllersin the Alabaster metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alabaster 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