Air Traffic Controller Salary in Conway, AR: $121,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Conway, AR earns a median $121,750/year (≈ $58.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Conway's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $140,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Conway, Arkansas, aspiring air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $121,750 in 2026, which reflects local economic conditions and pilot certifications. This salary represents a substantial economic opportunity for those progressing through the industry's rigorous certification timeline, which typically spans 1 to 3 years before reaching full pay as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC). The projected salary range for this profession in the area extends from $70,614 at the 10th percentile to $175,042 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse spectrum of earning potential based on experience, facility type, and certification status. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, revealing that while Conway's air traffic controller pay is competitive, it remains lower than the national median of $151,886, indicating room for growth and opportunity in the local job market.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,614 | $33.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,659 | $42.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,840 | $74.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,042 | $84.16 |
Median Salary Position
19.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Conway
In Conway, AR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,428 (2026 est.). At $121,750, the local median is 19.84% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Conway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Conway Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Conway median: $121,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Conway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $125,645 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -19.84% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Conway, AR earn a median of $121,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.84% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% below the Arkansas state average of $125,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Conway 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.
Conway, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $121,750 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,587
2025 BLS Actual
$118,699
2026 Current Est.
$121,750
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,587 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,543 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,122 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Conway metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $98,587 (2019) to $118,699 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,292 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Conway 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) | $70,614 – $87,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,659 – $121,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,750 – $155,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,840 – $175,042 |
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 Conway
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Conway is modest, with only 14 professionals currently employed in the field. This limited number may stem from the area's cost-of-living index, which stands at 86.9, suggesting that earnings in Conway stretch further compared to higher-cost metropolitan regions. Among various employers, those at FAA en route centers generally offer the upper end of the pay scale, followed by FAA terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. Factors influencing the disparity in earnings include not only facility types but also the CPC certification status; developmental controllers often earn between 65% to 75% of CPC pay. Additionally, shift differentials, mandatory overtime, and the ongoing staffing shortages in the industry can provide lucrative earning opportunities for controllers in this region. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller salary in Conway, focusing on obtaining CPC certification and being open to various shifts can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Conway, 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 $118,699 for air traffic controllersin the Conway 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 Conway 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