Air Traffic Controller Salary in Meridian, MS: $123,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Meridian, MS earns a median $123,398/year (≈ $59.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $143,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual air traffic controller salary in Meridian, Mississippi, set at $123,398 for 2026, the pay presents an attractive opportunity compared to many local professions. The salary range reflects a wide spectrum from $71,570 at the 10th percentile to a high of $171,744 at the 90th percentile. This local salary range is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. For controllers working at understaffed facilities, the ability to consistently log 50-60 hour workweeks can significantly enhance total compensation, positioning the average air traffic controller earnings closer to their peers in larger markets, even amidst ongoing national trends.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,846 | $42.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,398 | $59.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,677 | $74.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,744 | $82.57 |
Median Salary Position
18.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, MS, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,174 (2026 est.). At $123,398, the local median is 18.76% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be above the median
How Meridian Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Meridian median: $123,398/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $130,167 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -18.76% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Meridian, MS earn a median of $123,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.76% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $130,167.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian 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.
Meridian, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $123,398 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,988 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,922
2025 BLS Actual
$120,306
2026 Current Est.
$123,398
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,922 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,414 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,613 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,306 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,306 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,569 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $99,922 (2019) to $120,306 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,569 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,647 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $71,570 – $88,846 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,846 – $123,398 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,398 – $155,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,677 – $171,744 |
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 Meridian
The job market for air traffic controllers in Meridian includes approximately seven professionals in the field, serving as a small but vital segment within the aviation sector. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, local controllers may find their compensation stretches further than in pricier urban environments. The highest pay in the region typically comes from FAA en route centers, while tower facilities often pay less due to the tier system related to facility levels. Factors influencing the variation in pay include career progression, certifications, and various shift differentials and overtime opportunities. Understanding how to maximize earnings through consistent overtime, selecting positions at higher-tier facilities, and seeking CPC certification will prove essential for future controllers aiming to enhance their air traffic controller pay in Meridian, MS.
More salary data for Meridian, MS:
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 $120,306 for air traffic controllersin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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