Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $122,975 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $122,975/year (≈ $59.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $141,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hot Springs, AR, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is $122,975. This figure falls below the national median of $151,886, highlighting regional salary discrepancies despite Arkansas offering lower living costs. The salary range in Hot Springs is notably broad, with entry-level positions starting at $71,326 and experienced controllers earning up to $171,443. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reveal that while the compensation might lag behind larger metropolitan areas, the overtime economics of working 50-60 hour weeks at understaffed facilities can significantly enhance take-home pay. The local job market consists of just six controllers, pointing to an opportunity for competitive compensation given the ongoing national staffing challenges.
About the Hot Springs Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,326 | $34.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,543 | $42.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,975 | $59.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,039 | $74.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,443 | $82.43 |
Median Salary Position
19.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,117 (2026 est.). At $122,975, the local median is 19.03% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be above the median
How Hot Springs Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $122,975/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $125,613 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -19.03% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $122,975 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.03% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $125,613.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs 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.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $122,975 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,513 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,580
2025 BLS Actual
$119,894
2026 Current Est.
$122,975
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,595 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,053 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,231 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,975 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $99,580 (2019) to $119,894 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,556 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $71,326 – $88,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,543 – $122,975 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,975 – $155,039 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,039 – $171,443 |
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 Hot Springs
Amid a lower cost-of-living index of 86.9, air traffic controller pay in Hot Springs AR translates into solid purchasing power, especially as job growth is anticipated at a rate of 2.57% annually. The majority of controllers are likely employed at FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities or airport traffic control towers (ATCT), with top earners typically found working at en route centers, which command higher pay scales. The disparity between lower and higher salaries stems from various factors including facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers can optimize their salaries through overtime opportunities that have become common due to staffing shortages, especially on weekends and holidays, when additional premiums are offered. For those in the Hot Springs market, pursuing additional certifications and seeking higher-tier assignments where possible could further enhance their overall air traffic controller salary in Hot Springs.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $119,894 for air traffic controllersin the Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs 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