Air Traffic Controller Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $126,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $126,526/year (≈ $60.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $145,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Fayetteville, Arkansas, presents an intriguing picture for air traffic controllers, particularly when considering the potential for earnings through overtime. With a median annual salary projected at $126,526 for 2026, controllers here can expect a salary range between $73,385 and $179,297. These local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the realities of working in a sector that often requires 50-60 hour work weeks due to chronic understaffing. As air traffic facilities strive to manage increasing air traffic efficiently, controllers find themselves with ample opportunities for additional compensation, positioning Fayetteville as a competitive option for air traffic controller pay in the region.
About the Fayetteville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,385 | $35.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,338 | $44.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,526 | $60.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,433 | $77.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,297 | $86.20 |
Median Salary Position
16.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,912 (2026 est.). At $126,526, the local median is 16.7% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be above the median
How Fayetteville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $126,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $125,647 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.70% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $126,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% above the Arkansas state average of $125,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville 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.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,600 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$102,455
2025 BLS Actual
$123,356
2026 Current Est.
$126,526
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,455 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,169 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,443 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,356 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,778 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,455 (2019) to $123,356 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,778 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,323 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $73,385 – $92,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,338 – $126,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,526 – $160,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,433 – $179,297 |
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 Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, there is currently a workforce of 18 air traffic controllers navigating the demands of various facilities. The cost of living index in the area stands at 86.9, making the take-home pay relatively favorable compared to national averages. Among local employers, the FAA en route centers may offer the highest salaries, but opportunities are also available at terminal radar approach controls and airport traffic control towers. The breadth of earnings in the area can be attributed to factors such as facility type, certification status, and the prevalence of overtime, particularly as controllers often face staffing shortages. Aspiring controllers in Fayetteville can maximize their earnings by pursuing CPC certification, taking advantage of shift differentials, and remaining flexible, as the demand for air traffic controllers continues to shape this local market.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Fayetteville, AR in 2026?
Is Fayetteville, AR a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Fayetteville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Fayetteville?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Fayetteville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 $123,356 for air traffic controllersin the Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville 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