Air Traffic Controller Salary in Thibodaux, LA: $119,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Thibodaux, LA earns a median $119,405/year (≈ $57.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Thibodaux's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $132,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual air traffic controller salary in Thibodaux, Louisiana, is projected to reach $119,405. This figure reflects the unique economic pressures of working in a locality that often requires controllers to log 50-60 hour weeks due to chronic understaffing. While the salary range spans from $69,255 at the 10th percentile to $161,712 at the 90th percentile, these numbers highlight the potential for effective compensation driven by overtime. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, provide a crucial foundation for evaluating air traffic controller pay in Thibodaux, LA. Given an active local market of just six controllers, the competitive dynamics can lead to varied compensatory benefits, informing job seekers and existing employees about their earning potential in this niche yet critical profession.
About the Thibodaux Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,255 | $33.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,934 | $41.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,405 | $57.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,435 | $71.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,712 | $77.75 |
Median Salary Position
21.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thibodaux
In Thibodaux, LA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,457 (2026 est.). At $119,405, the local median is 21.39% below the national median of $151,886.
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At 40 hours/week in Thibodaux: You'd be above the median
How Thibodaux Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Thibodaux median: $119,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thibodaux Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $129,788 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -21.39% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Thibodaux, LA earn a median of $119,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.39% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 8.00% below the Louisiana state average of $129,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thibodaux has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thibodaux, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $119,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,689
2025 BLS Actual
$116,413
2026 Current Est.
$119,405
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Thibodaux (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,474 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thibodaux metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $96,689 (2019) to $116,413 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,474 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,785 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thibodaux 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) | $69,255 – $86,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,934 – $119,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,405 – $148,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,435 – $161,712 |
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 Thibodaux
As the cost of living index in Thibodaux stands at 90.3, living expenses here are notably lower than the national average, which materially affects take-home pay. While the job market consists of six controllers, pay scales vary significantly based on facility type and individual certification levels. FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, with airport traffic control towers resulting in the lowest incomes among the options. The spread between low and high pay is affected by various factors, including facility level, CPC certification status, and mandatory overtime, which has become a mainstay of the job. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller salary in Thibodaux, strategically pursuing roles at en route centers and seeking additional certifications could lead to significantly higher payout opportunities.
More salary data for Thibodaux, LA:
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 $116,413 for air traffic controllersin the Thibodaux 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 Thibodaux 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