Air Traffic Controller Salary in Durant, OK: $126,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Durant, OK earns a median $126,411/year (≈ $60.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Durant's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $142,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Durant, OK can expect to earn a median annual salary of $126,411, a figure that reflects the impact of rigorous work schedules often reaching 50 to 60 hours a week. This salary range spans from $76,219 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $174,927 (P90), indicating a significant potential for earnings driven by overtime and staffing demands. Given the chronic understaffing within the FAA air traffic control system, controllers often find themselves capitalizing on these hours, which increases their effective compensation compared to other regions. These figures are projections based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, revealing a practical depiction of the local job market dynamics in Durant.
About the Durant Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,219 | $36.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,689 | $45.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,411 | $60.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,157 | $74.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,927 | $84.10 |
Median Salary Position
16.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durant
In Durant, OK, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,708 (2026 est.). At $126,411, the local median is 16.77% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durant: You'd be above the median
How Durant Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Durant median: $126,411/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $135,055 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.77% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Durant, OK earn a median of $126,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.77% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $135,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durant has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durant, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,411 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,362
2025 BLS Actual
$123,244
2026 Current Est.
$126,411
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Durant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,362 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,546 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,069 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,339 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,532 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,244 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,660 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durant metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,362 (2019) to $123,244 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,660 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,298 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durant 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) | $76,219 – $94,689 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,689 – $126,411 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,411 – $155,157 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,157 – $174,927 |
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 Durant
Despite the promising salary projection, the air traffic controller pay in Durant, OK must be viewed in the context of the area's cost of living index, which sits at 88.9—meaning daily expenses are generally lower than the national average. This can enhance the purchasing power of controllers' salaries, especially for the five currently employed in the area. Employers such as FAA terminal radar approach control facilities or smaller airport contract towers might offer varying pay scales that depend on the facility type and individual certifications. Controllers at en route centers typically command higher salaries, with additional factors such as certification status and shift differentials further influencing income levels. Controllers can maximize their pay potential by seeking out positions at facilities that offer overtime or those that provide value through shift differentials, making informed decisions about their career trajectory in the diverse landscape of air traffic control in Durant.
More salary data for Durant, OK:
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 $123,244 for air traffic controllersin the Durant 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 Durant 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