Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brandon, MS: $124,054 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Brandon, MS earns a median $124,054/year (≈ $59.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Brandon's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $144,754 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Brandon, Mississippi, is projected to be a median of $124,054. With salaries ranging from $71,952 at the 10th percentile to $178,607 at the 90th percentile, this local compensation reflects the economic realities of the job market, considering overtime hours common in understaffed facilities. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences, indicate a significant pay gap when compared to national levels—specifically about 18.32% lower than the national median of $151,886. The local job market's reliance on overtime due to staffing shortages has made effective compensation dependent not only on base salary but also on the number of hours worked.
About the Brandon Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,952 | $34.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,444 | $43.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,054 | $59.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,790 | $76.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,607 | $85.87 |
Median Salary Position
18.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brandon
In Brandon, MS, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,655 (2026 est.). At $124,054, the local median is 18.32% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brandon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brandon Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Brandon median: $124,054/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brandon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $130,172 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -18.32% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Brandon, MS earn a median of $124,054 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.32% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Mississippi state average of $130,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brandon has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brandon, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $124,054 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,754 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,453
2025 BLS Actual
$120,946
2026 Current Est.
$124,054
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brandon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,017 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,946 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,054 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brandon metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $100,453 (2019) to $120,946 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,790 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brandon 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) | $71,952 – $89,444 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,444 – $124,054 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,054 – $158,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,790 – $178,607 |
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 Brandon
Analyzing the job market for air traffic controllers in Brandon reveals some unique challenges and opportunities. Currently, six air traffic controllers are employed locally, and with a cost-of-living index at 85.7, the take-home purchasing power remains competitive despite the lower salary figures compared to national trends. Among various employment options in Brandon, those working in FAA en route centers typically command the highest salaries, followed by terminal approach positions and control towers. Factors influencing the spread in pay include the facility type, which ranges in status from en route (Level 12) to control towers (Level 7), as well as factors such as CPC certification, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime. To enhance their earning potential, air traffic controllers in Brandon should seek opportunities for overtime, consider working at higher-level facilities, and maximize shift differentials, particularly during weekends and holidays.
More salary data for Brandon, MS:
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 $120,946 for air traffic controllersin the Brandon 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 Brandon 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