Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Evansville, IN: $68.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Evansville, IN runs $68.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,756 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Evansville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,048 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Evansville, Indiana, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $68.15, which is approximately 6.67% lower than the national median of $73.02. This rate reflects the unique positioning of controllers in various settings including en route center radar consoles, terminal approach facilities, and airport control towers. For part-time controllers working roughly three days a week, this hourly pay allows for a comfortable living, although it may lead to a lower annual income compared to full-time colleagues. The hourly pay range for controllers in Evansville varies significantly, starting from $39.53 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $97.81 for the top earners. These estimates are based on annual salary projections and highlight the financial opportunities available for air traffic controllers in the area.
About the Evansville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.53 | $316.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.07 | $392.56 |
| Median (P50) | $68.15 | $545.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.86 | $694.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.81 | $782.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Evansville
Based on $68.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.15/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Evansville, IN can expect to earn approximately $141,747 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,777. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Evansville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Evansville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,725.90 | $11,812 | $141,747 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,635.54 | $7,087 | $85,048 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,090.36 | $4,725 | $56,699 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Evansville) | $68.15 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Evansville, IN earn a median of $141,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.67% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.20% above the Indiana state average of $138,704.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.15/hr = $85,048/year (purchasing power: $93,152).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,747/year (purchasing power: $155,254).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Evansville grew 20.4% from $55.18/hr (2019) to $66.44/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.90/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Evansville
Considering the potential for part-time and per-diem roles, an air traffic controller working 24 hours a week could still make a commendable income, though less than a full-time employee, who often benefits from substantial overtime pay. Controllers in understaffed facilities, for instance, frequently work 50-60 hours per week, allowing their effective hourly compensation to surpass the base rates considerably, with many earning annual overtime between $50,000 to $100,000. Variances in hourly pay exist across different employer types within Evansville. Federal facilities such as FAA en route centers or TRACONs may offer lower hourly wages, but include comprehensive health benefits, while contractors at smaller airports might provide higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiation requires understanding your value in this competitive field, along with the trade-offs between fully compensated roles and higher pay opportunities in the contracting space, especially relevant for per diem air traffic controller pay in Evansville.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Evansville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Evansville 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