Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shreveport, LA: $130,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shreveport, LA earns a median $130,592/year (≈ $62.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shreveport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $144,620 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shreveport, Louisiana, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $130,592 in 2026, which reflects a competitive position relative to the national average. With a salary range from $75,744 at the 10th percentile to $187,780 at the 90th percentile, there is considerable potential for career advancement. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, consider local market conditions and regional price adjustments. As controllers progress through the certification timeline, transitioning from developmental to fully certified status often occurs within 1 to 3 years, significantly impacting their earnings potential. This regional economic context is vital, particularly as Shreveport's air traffic controller salary compares to other areas in Louisiana and the broader national market, which presents a higher median figure of $151,886.
About the Shreveport Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,744 | $36.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,026 | $45.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,592 | $62.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,957 | $80.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,780 | $90.28 |
Median Salary Position
14.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shreveport
In Shreveport, LA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,036 (2026 est.). At $130,592, the local median is 14.02% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shreveport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shreveport Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shreveport median: $130,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shreveport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $129,813 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.02% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shreveport, LA earn a median of $130,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.02% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% above the Louisiana state average of $129,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shreveport 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.
Shreveport, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $130,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,620 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,747
2025 BLS Actual
$127,320
2026 Current Est.
$130,592
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shreveport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,747 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,709 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,334 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shreveport metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $105,747 (2019) to $127,320 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,201 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shreveport 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) | $75,744 – $94,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,026 – $130,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,592 – $166,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,957 – $187,780 |
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 Shreveport
The air traffic controller job market in Shreveport consists of 28 controllers employed in various facilities, including FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACON) and airport traffic control towers (ATCT). With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the take-home pay for these professionals stretches further than in many urban centers, allowing for a favorable standard of living despite local salaries being about 14% lower than the national median. Employers such as the FAA typically offer the highest pay scales, especially in en route facilities, while contract towers may provide less competitive rates. Factors contributing to the variance in pay include the facility level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. Controllers looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Shreveport, LA, should seek positions that offer higher tiers of pay scale, embrace shift differentials, and consider roles that provide overtime, capitalizing on the FAA's ongoing staffing challenges.
More salary data for Shreveport, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $127,320 for air traffic controllersin the Shreveport 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 Shreveport 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