Air Traffic Controller Salary in Starkville, MS: $126,580 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Starkville, MS earns a median $126,580/year (≈ $60.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $147,701 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Starkville, Mississippi, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $126,580 in 2026, with a wide salary range that spans from $73,417 at the 10th percentile to $174,562 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with local adjustments that reflect the region's economic context. This salary would be considerably less than the national median of $151,886 for air traffic controllers, indicating a salary variance influenced by local market conditions. As Starkville continues to develop its aviation sector, prospective air traffic controllers can anticipate a dynamic job market, but they may need to consider the trade-offs of pursuing opportunities in this area versus wealthier metropolitan hubs.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,417 | $35.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,349 | $45.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,580 | $60.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,709 | $76.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,562 | $83.92 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,145 (2026 est.). At $126,580, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be above the median
How Starkville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Starkville median: $126,580/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $130,226 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.66% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Starkville, MS earn a median of $126,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $130,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,580 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,701 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,498
2025 BLS Actual
$123,408
2026 Current Est.
$126,580
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,498 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,132 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,580 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,833 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,498 (2019) to $123,408 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,833 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,335 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $73,417 – $94,349 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,349 – $126,580 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,580 – $158,709 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,709 – $174,562 |
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 Starkville
The job market for air traffic controllers in Starkville is modest, with only five positions currently filled. Despite the lower number of positions, the area offers a favorable cost-of-living index of 85.7, meaning that controllers may enjoy greater purchasing power relative to higher-cost areas. Most top-paying employers in the region include FAA terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers, typically offering competitive salaries within the local market. Factors such as the facility level, Controller Pilot (CPC) certification status, and availability of overtime can significantly influence earnings. Controllers at en route facilities generally see better pay than those at towers, and CPC status can mark a major difference in compensation, as developmental controllers earn significantly less, only 65-75% of full CPC pay. Planning for shift differentials and overtime can also maximize total compensation, making it essential for aspiring controllers in Starkville to adopt strategies that enhance their earnings potential while navigating the local ATC landscape.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 $123,408 for air traffic controllersin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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