Air Traffic Controller Salary in Corsicana, TX: $139,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Corsicana, TX earns a median $139,775/year (≈ $67.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Corsicana's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $145,599 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Corsicana, TX, the 2026 air traffic controller salary is projected at $139,775, coming in under the national median of $151,886. The local salary range spans from $81,069 at the 10th percentile to $186,545 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight how the market compensates controllers working in different facility types within the area. Generally, the highest salaries tend to be associated with en route centers compared to terminal and tower facilities, primarily due to the complexity and volume of air traffic handled. With six active air traffic controllers in Corsicana, a nuanced understanding of the local job market is essential for prospective candidates and current professionals seeking to optimize their earnings.
About the Corsicana Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,069 | $38.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,668 | $50.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,775 | $67.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,470 | $82.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,545 | $89.69 |
Median Salary Position
7.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corsicana
In Corsicana, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,476 (2026 est.). At $139,775, the local median is 7.97% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corsicana: You'd be above the median
How Corsicana Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Corsicana median: $139,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corsicana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,751 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.97% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Corsicana, TX earn a median of $139,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.97% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.10% below the Texas state average of $145,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corsicana has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corsicana, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,599 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,184
2025 BLS Actual
$136,273
2026 Current Est.
$139,775
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Corsicana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,184 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,021 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,426 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,273 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,367 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corsicana metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,184 (2019) to $136,273 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,367 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,183 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corsicana 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) | $81,069 – $105,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,668 – $139,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,775 – $172,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,470 – $186,545 |
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 Corsicana
Analysing the air traffic controller pay in Corsicana reveals several factors influencing compensation, particularly the local cost of living index, which sits at 96. This relatively low cost can enhance purchasing power, allowing controllers to maximize their earnings. Among the local employers, jobs at FAA en route centers typically offer better pay prospects compared to terminal and control tower positions. Factors that lead to the divergence in salaries include the facility tier, certification status, shift differentials, and the potential for overtime—a common expectation given the continued staffing challenges in the sector. To enhance their pay, controllers in Corsicana should focus on obtaining Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status and consider positions that leverage higher traffic volumes, which often come with the benefit of location-based pay increases. Given the mandatory retirement age of 56, early career planning can also influence long-term financial stability in this field.
More salary data for Corsicana, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Corsicana, TX in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Corsicana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Corsicana?
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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 $136,273 for air traffic controllersin the Corsicana 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 Corsicana 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