Air Traffic Controller Salary in Dothan, AL: $124,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Dothan, AL earns a median $124,028/year (≈ $59.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $141,101 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $124,028 in 2026, a figure that reflects the unique economic circumstances of the region. While Dothan's pay is notably lower than the national median of $151,886, the local salary range for controllers spans from $71,936 at the 10th percentile to as much as $180,857 at the 90th percentile. This outcome is heavily influenced by frequent overtime shifts, as many facilities face understaffing challenges, leading to 50-60 hour weeks that, though demanding, significantly boost effective compensation. These salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price considerations, ultimately highlighting the intricacies of the job market in Dothan for air traffic controllers.
About the Dothan Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,936 | $34.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,299 | $42.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,028 | $59.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,756 | $76.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,857 | $86.95 |
Median Salary Position
18.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,921 (2026 est.). At $124,028, the local median is 18.34% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Dothan median: $124,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $126,688 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -18.34% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Dothan, AL earn a median of $124,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.34% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.10% below the Alabama state average of $126,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan 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.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $124,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,101 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,432
2025 BLS Actual
$120,920
2026 Current Est.
$124,028
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,432 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,499 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,183 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,555 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,215 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $100,432 (2019) to $120,920 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,215 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,783 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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) | $71,936 – $89,299 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,299 – $124,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,028 – $158,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,756 – $180,857 |
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 Dothan
Dothan's job market has a modest workforce with only 18 air traffic controllers currently employed in the area. While the cost of living index stands at 87.9, which is below the national average, this lower living cost bolsters the purchasing power of Dothan's air traffic controller pay. Facilities that typically offer higher salaries include FAA en route centers (ARTCCs), which manage high-altitude traffic, and specialized military air traffic control positions. The disparity in wages among controllers often arises from various factors, including facility type—where en route positions surpass terminal and tower jobs in pay grade—CPC certification status, and potential bonuses from shift differentials and abundant mandatory overtime. For those looking to optimize their earnings in Dothan, pursuing positions at these higher-tier facilities, actively seeking CPC status, and capitalizing on available overtime opportunities can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Dothan, 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 $120,920 for air traffic controllersin the Dothan 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 Dothan 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