Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $63.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Metairie, LA runs $63.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,917 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Metairie, Louisiana, air traffic controllers can expect a median hourly pay of $63.23, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02. This hourly rate proves significant for those considering part-time work, as a controller working just three days a week could still earn a substantial income, especially when compared to typical local wages. Working environments for air traffic controllers in Metairie vary widely, including en route centers, airport traffic control towers, and TRACON facilities. Whether one is stationed at a radar console in a dim control room or overseeing airport traffic from a tower, controllers benefit from an hourly rate that can range from $36.68 for entry-level positions to as high as $95.94 for experienced controllers. These numbers are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, giving prospective controllers an insight into the earning potential in this critical profession.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.68 | $293.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.04 | $368.35 |
| Median (P50) | $63.23 | $505.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.94 | $647.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.94 | $767.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $63.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.23/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $131,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,881. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,529.38 | $10,961 | $131,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,517.63 | $6,576 | $78,917 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,011.75 | $4,384 | $52,611 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Metairie) | $63.23 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $131,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.40% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% above the Louisiana state average of $129,710.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.23/hr = $78,917/year (purchasing power: $87,394).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,528/year (purchasing power: $145,656).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Metairie grew 20.4% from $51.20/hr (2019) to $61.65/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.86/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
Exploring part-time earning potential in Metairie reveals that working just 24 hours a week can still yield a significant income, though full-time positions naturally offer more stability and higher earning potential. Many air traffic controllers find themselves engaged in per-diem contracts or agency work, particularly in understaffed facilities where overtime is common. This drive for additional hours often results in earnings that can surpass the base hourly rate substantially, with some controllers clocking in an additional $50,000 to $100,000 yearly through overtime. Various employers within the region, such as FAA en route centers and military air traffic control, offer divergent pay scales and benefits. While some controllers might opt for lower hourly rates at FAA facilities that include health insurance, others may prefer private or contract roles that pay higher hourly rates but lack these benefits. Negotiation tactics tailored to the local Metairie job market can make a substantial difference, especially for those aiming to maximize earnings within this lucrative field while navigating the unique employment landscape unique to air traffic control.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Metairie in 2026?
How much do part-time air traffic controllers make in Metairie?
Are air traffic controllers in Metairie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time air traffic controller make per year in Metairie?
Do air traffic controllers earn more per hour working part-time in Metairie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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