Air Traffic Controller Salary in Vestavia Hills, AL: $121,611 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Vestavia Hills, AL earns a median $121,611/year (≈ $58.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Vestavia Hills's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $138,352 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the forecasted median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is $121,611. This figure contrasts significantly with the national median of $151,886, indicating that local compensation lags behind the national average by approximately 19.93%. The salary range for controllers in this area extends from $70,534 at the 10th percentile to $172,485 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of pay levels based on experience and responsibility. These projections derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, painting a clear picture of what aspiring and current air traffic controllers can expect in terms of pay as they advance from developmental to certified professional controller roles.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,534 | $33.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,560 | $42.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,611 | $58.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,113 | $74.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,485 | $82.93 |
Median Salary Position
19.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vestavia Hills
In Vestavia Hills, AL, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,951 (2026 est.). At $121,611, the local median is 19.93% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vestavia Hills: You'd be above the median
How Vestavia Hills Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Vestavia Hills median: $121,611/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vestavia Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $126,678 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -19.93% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $121,611 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.93% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $126,678.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vestavia Hills 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.
Vestavia Hills, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $121,611 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,352 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,475
2025 BLS Actual
$118,564
2026 Current Est.
$121,611
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,475 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,889 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,611 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,736 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $98,475 (2019) to $118,564 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,736 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,261 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills 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) | $70,534 – $87,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,560 – $121,611 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,611 – $155,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,113 – $172,485 |
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 Vestavia Hills
With just eight controllers employed in the Vestavia Hills area, job opportunities may be limited, yet the cost of living index stands at 87.9, suggesting a more favorable economic environment for residents compared to the national average. This cost-of-living factor enhances the effective purchasing power of local air traffic controller pay. Competitive salaries are typical for FAA en route facilities, where positions often command the highest rates of compensation, while terminal radar approach control facilities may offer less. Controllers aiming to maximize their earnings in Vestavia Hills should focus on gaining CPC certification, which can lead to pay increases of 65-75% of what fully certified professionals earn. Additionally, those who are willing to work at facilities with shift differentials and abundant overtime opportunities, a common practice due to ongoing workforce shortages, can further elevate their income potential in this local market.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, 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 $118,564 for air traffic controllersin the Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills 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