Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Air Traffic Controllers salary really buy you in Louisiana?
Louisiana is 9.4% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Louisiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 90.6, meaning prices are 9.4% lower the national average. A Air Traffic Controllers earning $99,810 in Louisiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $110,165 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Louisiana's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $75,130 | $82,924 | +$7,794 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $87,150 | $96,192 | +$9,042 |
| Median (P50) | $99,810 | $110,165 | +$10,355 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $123,660 | $136,490 | +$12,830 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $149,700 | $165,231 | +$15,531 |
A Air Traffic Controllers in Louisiana earns $99,810 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $110,165 in an average-cost state. This makes Louisiana one of the best value states for this occupation.
Louisiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 90.6 means a basket of goods and services costs about 9.4% less than the national average. For a Air Traffic Controllers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $99,810 for Louisiana's cost of living yields $110,166 — a 10.4% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
Louisiana ranks #37 of 43 — bottom quartile for Air Traffic Controllers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Air Traffic Controllers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Louisiana ranks #37 out of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Air Traffic Controllers take-home pay in Louisiana after taxes →
A Air Traffic Controllers in Louisiana earns a median salary of $99,810 per year. After adjusting for Louisiana's cost of living (RPP=90.6), the real purchasing power is $110,165 — a +10.4% difference.
Louisiana's cost of living is 9.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Louisiana is 90.6 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Air Traffic Controllers in Louisiana: $99,810 x (100 / 90.6) = $110,165. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Air Traffic Controllers in Louisiana enjoys 10.4% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.