Air Traffic Controller Salary in Alexandria, LA: $124,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Alexandria, LA earns a median $124,021/year (≈ $59.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $137,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alexandria, LA, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary in 2026 is $124,021, demonstrating a significant difference when compared to the national median of $151,886. The local salary range extends from $71,932 at the 10th percentile to $174,557 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide pay variance for controllers in the area. These figures, which incorporate estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional costs, reflect the unique economic environment of Alexandria. With the airport facility's tier level impacting earnings, prospective controllers may find that the pathway to earning full pay can take 1 to 3 years, especially for those starting as developmental controllers. This salary picture reveals both the starting financial incentives and the longer-term prospects available in this specific market.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,932 | $34.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,295 | $42.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,021 | $59.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,647 | $75.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,557 | $83.92 |
Median Salary Position
18.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, LA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,625 (2026 est.). At $124,021, the local median is 18.35% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be above the median
How Alexandria Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $124,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $129,730 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -18.35% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Alexandria, LA earn a median of $124,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.35% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.40% below the Louisiana state average of $129,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $124,021 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,343 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% 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
$100,427
2025 BLS Actual
$120,914
2026 Current Est.
$124,021
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,427 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,494 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,947 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,988 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $100,427 (2019) to $120,914 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,782 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $71,932 – $89,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,295 – $124,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,021 – $157,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,647 – $174,557 |
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 Alexandria
Focusing on the strength of the local job market, Alexandria currently has nine employed air traffic controllers, indicating a concentrated yet competitive environment. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 90.3, suggesting that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively strong compared to the costs of living in larger metropolitan areas. Controllers here can expect the highest pay from FAA en route centers, which manage high-altitude air traffic, although facilities such as TRACONs and airport traffic control towers may offer different pay structures based on certification levels and shift differentials. To maximize pay in Alexandria, controllers should seek opportunities for overtime, aim for shift work that includes night and weekend differentials, and pursue positions at higher-level facilities that offer better pay scales. Additionally, understanding the impacts of staffing demands and locality pay can help controllers navigate their career trajectories effectively.
More salary data for Alexandria, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Alexandria, LA in 2026?
Is Alexandria, LA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Alexandria?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Alexandria?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Alexandria?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 $120,914 for air traffic controllersin the Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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