Air Traffic Controller Salary in Decatur, AL: $126,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Decatur, AL earns a median $126,907/year (≈ $61.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $144,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning a median annual salary of $126,907 in Decatur, Alabama, air traffic controllers face a unique market influenced heavily by overtime economics. The current salary range for these professionals spans from $73,606 at the 10th percentile to $182,822 at the 90th percentile. Given the chronic understaffing in many facilities, controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, which significantly boosts their effective compensation. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price differences. In Decatur's context, where economic activity is bustling yet still offers a lower cost of living, the pressures of the job may be offset by competitive wages that reflect broader industry demands.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,606 | $35.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,372 | $43.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,907 | $61.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,441 | $78.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,822 | $87.89 |
Median Salary Position
16.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,216 (2026 est.). At $126,907, the local median is 16.45% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Decatur median: $126,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $126,653 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.45% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Decatur, AL earn a median of $126,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.45% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $126,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur 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.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,763
2025 BLS Actual
$123,727
2026 Current Est.
$126,907
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,763 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,727 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,763 (2019) to $123,727 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,405 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $73,606 – $91,372 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,372 – $126,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,907 – $162,441 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,441 – $182,822 |
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 Decatur
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Decatur is relatively limited, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. This, combined with a cost-of-living index of 87.9, indicates that controllers maintain a favorable take-home purchasing power compared to many other parts of the country. Those seeking employment with higher pay may want to target FAA en route centers or TRACONs, as these facilities generally offer more competitive salaries than airport control towers. The differences between lower and higher compensation levels hinge on factors like facility type, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Maximizing income typically involves seeking promotions to higher-tier facilities while actively pursuing overtime opportunities, capitalizing on the significant demand in the air traffic control profession.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $123,727 for air traffic controllersin the Decatur 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 Decatur 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