Air Traffic Controller Salary in Mississippi: $113,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $113,720/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $132,695 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($125,703), Tupelo ($125,673), Madison ($125,171).
In Mississippi, air traffic controllers are projected to earn an average median salary of $113,720 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $151,886, creating a gap of 25.1%. The highest-paying city in the state is Pearl, where controllers can expect to earn $128,934, while Jackson is the lowest, with salaries averaging $94,067. This $34,867 difference is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for air traffic services, and the scale of airport operations in these areas. In Mississippi, air traffic controllers need to meet state licensing requirements and adhere to federal regulations, with a specific scope of practice that prioritizes safety and efficiency in air travel. The state's projected growth rate for this profession is 2.57%, indicating steady demand, which can be partly attributed to ongoing investments in transportation infrastructure and the presence of regional airports. Overall, with a total of 197 air traffic controllers expected to be employed in the state, Mississippi offers a stable job market outlook. While salaries may not match national averages, the role remains vital in ensuring safe air transportation across the region.
Mississippi Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $60,072 (lowest entry-level) to $185,555 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi air traffic controllers earn 25.13% less than the national median ($-38,166/year difference).
Mississippi Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Mississippi range from $70,070 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $155,135 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $113,720. The Mississippi median is $38,166 below the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $54.67/hr. Approximately 197 air traffic controllers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,970
2025 BLS Actual
$110,871
2026 Current Est.
$113,720
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,649 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,879 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,871 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,643 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 45.9% from $75,970 (2019) to $110,871 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,643 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,673 (53.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $128,934 | 85.7 | $150,448 |
| Tupelo | $128,903 | 85.7 | $150,412 |
| Madison | $128,388 | 85.7 | $149,811 |
| Southaven | $128,045 | 85.7 | $149,411 |
| Horn Lake | $127,519 | 85.7 | $148,797 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $70,070 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $113,720 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $155,135 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $128,934 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $128,903 |
| 3 | Madison | $128,388 |
| 4 | Southaven | $128,045 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $127,519 |
| 6 | Starkville | $126,580 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $124,975 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $124,975 |
| 9 | Hattiesburg | $124,196 |
| 10 | Oxford | $124,186 |
| 11 | Brandon | $124,054 |
| 12 | Meridian | $123,398 |
| 13 | Olive Branch | $123,156 |
| 14 | Hernando | $122,537 |
| 15 | Columbus | $122,401 |
| 16 | Laurel | $120,384 |
| 17 | Clinton | $119,680 |
| 18 | Biloxi | $103,573 |
| 19 | Gulfport | $102,365 |
| 20 | Jackson | $94,067 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Mississippi?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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