Air Traffic Controller Salary in Texarkana, TX: $142,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Texarkana, TX earns a median $142,211/year (≈ $68.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $148,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the air traffic controller job market of Texarkana, Texas, the compensation reflects the realities of a challenging operational environment. With a projected median annual salary of $142,211 for 2026, local controllers earn slightly less than their national counterparts, who average $151,886. This differential is upheld by the salary range that stretches from $82,483 to $197,288, demonstrating the impact of factors like facility type and staffing levels. Controllers in understaffed areas often find themselves working 50-60 hour weeks, which significantly enhances their effective compensation through overtime, a common reality in many areas of air traffic control. The nuances of pay can vary widely, with many professionals in the region benefitting from the prioritization of workload and staffing needs.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,483 | $39.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,393 | $49.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,211 | $68.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,698 | $85.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,288 | $94.85 |
Median Salary Position
6.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, TX, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,805 (2026 est.). At $142,211, the local median is 6.37% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be above the median
How Texarkana Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $142,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $145,858 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.37% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Texarkana, TX earn a median of $142,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.37% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.50% below the Texas state average of $145,858.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana 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.
Texarkana, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,211 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,136 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,156
2025 BLS Actual
$138,648
2026 Current Est.
$142,211
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,156 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,113 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,486 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,648 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,156 (2019) to $138,648 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,710 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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) | $82,483 – $102,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,393 – $142,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,211 – $178,698 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,698 – $197,288 |
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 Texarkana
As of this reporting period, Texarkana employs nine air traffic controllers, revealing a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living index stands at 96, which indicates that the purchasing power of take-home wages is relatively strong compared to other areas. Within Texarkana, the primary employers include FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach control facilities. Pay disparities are influenced by factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and the availability of shift differentials and overtime opportunities. For those wishing to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing CPC certification can open doors to higher pay grades, particularly in en route positions that align with the Federal Aviation Administration’s staffing needs. Taking advantage of overtime shifts, especially those during weekends or holidays, can further boost overall earnings for air traffic controllers in Texarkana, TX, allowing them to make a competitive living within the aviation industry.
More salary data for Texarkana, 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 $138,648 for air traffic controllersin the Texarkana 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 Texarkana 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