Air Traffic Controller Salary in Gadsden, AL: $122,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Gadsden, AL earns a median $122,555/year (≈ $58.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $139,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary for 2026 is $122,555, indicating a potential earnings landscape that is somewhat less competitive compared to the national average of $151,886. The local salary range spans from $71,898 at the 10th percentile to $175,649 at the 90th, with these figures reflecting BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments specific to Alabama. Controllers in Gadsden often work 50 to 60 hour weeks at understaffed facilities, which substantially enhances their effective compensation through overtime pay. Given the local employment of seven air traffic controllers, this market presents unique opportunities for professionals navigating their career paths in air traffic control.
About the Gadsden Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,898 | $34.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,585 | $43.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,555 | $58.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,871 | $75.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,649 | $84.45 |
Median Salary Position
19.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,751 (2026 est.). At $122,555, the local median is 19.31% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gadsden Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $122,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $126,737 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -19.31% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $122,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.31% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the Alabama state average of $126,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden 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.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $122,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,425 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,239
2025 BLS Actual
$119,484
2026 Current Est.
$122,555
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,234 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,694 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,349 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $99,239 (2019) to $119,484 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,465 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $71,898 – $90,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,585 – $122,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,555 – $156,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,871 – $175,649 |
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 Gadsden
The cost of living index in Gadsden stands at 87.9, which is below the national average, allowing for potentially greater purchasing power even at lower salaries compared to larger metropolitan areas. Among the various employers, FAA en route centers distinctly provide the highest compensation opportunities for seasoned controllers, particularly those holding CPC certification, while smaller FAA contract towers tend to offer lower salaries. Factors influencing pay differentials include operational facility level, including en route and terminal facilities, and the prevalence of mandatory overtime driven by ongoing staffing shortages. In this Gadsden market, maximizing salary potential could involve strategic moves such as seeking positions in higher-tiered facilities, securing CPC status, and staying flexible with shift assignments, especially during nights and holidays when premium pay rates are applicable.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $119,484 for air traffic controllersin the Gadsden 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 Gadsden 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