Air Traffic Controller salary in Louisiana
Air Traffic Controllers in Louisiana earn a median of $99,810 a year ($47.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,700 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $148,080. Louisiana ranks 39th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.12 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| 25th percentile | $87,150 | $41.90 |
| Median | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| 75th percentile | $123,660 | $59.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,700 | $71.97 |
| Average (mean) | $106,280 | $51.10 |
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 | $8,317.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,158.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,838.85 |
| Weekly | $1,919.42 |
| Hourly | $47.99 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $95,940 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $120,740 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,710 | $13.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Louisiana is $99,810 a year, or $47.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Louisiana earn at least $149,700 a year. The top 25% earn $123,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,130 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $87,150 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Louisiana?
About 230 air traffic controllers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.