Air Traffic Controller salary in Arkansas
Air Traffic Controllers in Arkansas earn a median of $109,760 a year ($52.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,430 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $148,080. Arkansas ranks 34th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.06 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $108,570, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| 25th percentile | $99,800 | $47.98 |
| Median | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| 75th percentile | $127,920 | $61.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,430 | $64.63 |
| Average (mean) | $108,570 | $52.20 |
Half of air traffic controllers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,146.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,573.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,221.54 |
| Weekly | $2,110.77 |
| Hourly | $52.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $94,410 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $168,970 | — |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,550 | $24.79 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $35,640 | $17.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Arkansas?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Arkansas is $109,760 a year, or $52.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Arkansas earn at least $134,430 a year. The top 25% earn $127,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,360 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $99,800 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Arkansas?
About 80 air traffic controllers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.