Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bryant, AR: $118,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bryant, AR earns a median $118,728/year (≈ $57.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bryant's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $136,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bryant, Arkansas, an air traffic controller can expect a median annual salary of $118,728 in 2026, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations. The pay range for controllers starts at $68,862 (P10) and can reach up to $159,205 (P90), illustrating significant variability that depends on the specific facility tier. Factors such as job location, experience level, and certification can substantially influence earnings. Given the en route Level 12 facilities typically pay more than terminal Level 11 and tower Level 7 facilities, those working in higher-tier centers might seek opportunities to enhance their compensation within Bryant’s air traffic control market.
About the Bryant Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,862 | $33.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,484 | $41.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,728 | $57.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,875 | $70.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,205 | $76.54 |
Median Salary Position
21.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bryant
In Bryant, AR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,343 (2026 est.). At $118,728, the local median is 21.83% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Bryant: You'd be above the median
How Bryant Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bryant median: $118,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bryant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $125,638 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -21.83% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bryant, AR earn a median of $118,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.83% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.50% below the Arkansas state average of $125,638.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bryant has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bryant, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $118,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,140
2025 BLS Actual
$115,753
2026 Current Est.
$118,728
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bryant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,379 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,779 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bryant metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $96,140 (2019) to $115,753 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,779 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,639 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bryant 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) | $68,862 – $85,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,484 – $118,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,728 – $146,875 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,875 – $159,205 |
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 Bryant
Despite the comparatively lower air traffic controller pay in Bryant AR—around 21.83% below the national median of $151,886—living costs in the area offer a different economic picture, with a cost-of-living index of 86.9. This index suggests that controllers may experience a more favorable purchasing power than in higher-cost areas. Currently, only four air traffic controllers are employed locally, which indicates a relatively small job market in the region. Employers in Bryant, including FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and smaller contract towers, influence pay scales significantly. Variability in salaries often arises from factors such as facility level, CPC certification, shift differentials, and the potential for overtime. Controllers looking to maximize their pay may consider pursuing management positions or advanced certifications to enhance their skill set and attractiveness to employers.
More salary data for Bryant, AR:
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 $115,753 for air traffic controllersin the Bryant 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 Bryant 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