Air Traffic Controller Salary in Longview, TX: $145,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Longview, TX earns a median $145,166/year (≈ $69.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Longview's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $151,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Longview, Texas, aspiring air traffic controllers can anticipate a projected median annual salary of $145,166 by 2026. The salary range varies significantly, beginning at $84,197 for entry-level positions (P10) and extending up to $207,663 for the most experienced controllers (P90). These figures, derived from state-level estimates and regional cost adjustments, reflect local economic conditions. With a solid compensation structure, the market for air traffic controllers in Longview offers both opportunity and stability, especially considering the critical nature of air traffic management and the training timeline for certified professional controllers (CPC), which can take between one to three years to reach full pay.
About the Longview Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,197 | $40.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,520 | $50.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,166 | $69.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,238 | $89.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,663 | $99.84 |
Median Salary Position
4.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Longview
In Longview, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,466 (2026 est.). At $145,166, the local median is 4.42% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Longview: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Longview Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Longview median: $145,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Longview Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,749 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.42% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Longview, TX earn a median of $145,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.42% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $145,749.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Longview 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.
Longview, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $145,166 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,215 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,549
2025 BLS Actual
$141,529
2026 Current Est.
$145,166
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,549 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,302 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Longview metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,549 (2019) to $141,529 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,348 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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) | $84,197 – $104,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,520 – $145,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,166 – $185,238 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,238 – $207,663 |
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 Longview
Several factors influence the air traffic controller pay in Longview, TX, where currently only 14 controllers are employed. The relatively low cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 96, enhances the purchasing power of salaries, allowing controllers to maintain a comfortable lifestyle compared to more expensive regions. Among potential employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, with compensation levels influenced by facility rank—en route facilities generally offering better pay than terminal or tower positions. Moreover, the pay disparity is driven by factors such as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and abundant overtime opportunities due to chronic staffing shortages post-2013 sequester. To maximize earnings in Longview’s air traffic controller job market, actively seeking CPC certification, considering overtime shifts, and positioning for roles at higher-tier facilities can provide substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Longview, TX:
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 $141,529 for air traffic controllersin the Longview 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 Longview 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