Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Athens, GA: $84,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Athens, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,442 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Athens's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $90,700 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($145,590) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a starting air traffic controller salary in Athens, GA, estimated at $84,442 for 2026, new graduates entering this field can expect a competitive earning trajectory. This entry-level pay is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $145,590, indicating that fresh hires typically begin their careers at a substantial gap from the average. However, there is potential for growth, as controllers can move up to the 25th percentile salary of $104,824 within a few years. For graduates looking at a career in air traffic control, Athens serves as a viable market, providing opportunities in an industry that is gradually expanding, particularly as understaffing issues drive demand for qualified personnel.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Athens
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Athens, GA typically start between $84,442 and $104,824 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,079 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $145,590 — 4.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Georgia of $35,000 represents just 41.45% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($84,442/year) in Athens. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Athens
- 1Research the Athens market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $84,442 to $104,824, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Athens, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Athens for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Athens's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Athens is $132,079 ( 156.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,442, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,521.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,733
2025 BLS Actual
$82,326
2026 Current Est.
$84,442
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,985 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,326 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,612 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Athens, GA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,733 in 2019 to $82,326 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,612. New graduates entering the Athens job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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.
Starting Your aviation Career in Athens
Several employers in Athens actively recruit new graduates, with the FAA being the primary source of job openings. They conduct public bid windows for off-the-street hiring, which generally require candidates to be under 31 years of age unless they are military veterans. Participants in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program also find pathways into the profession, as do veterans through the Veterans Recruitment Authority. To enhance starting pay and job prospects in Georgia, new controllers should focus on obtaining relevant credentials: a bachelor's degree, work experience, and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA) are crucial steps. After completion of Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy, controllers can look forward to a structured progression toward full certification. In the first few years, realistic salary growth could align with their advancement through training and experience, creating a fulfilling and financially rewarding career in air traffic control within the expanding framework of the FAA.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Athens in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Athens?
Is aviation school worth it in Athens?
What do new air traffic controllers make right out of school in Athens?
How do I become a air traffic controller in Georgia?
Related Pages
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Athens. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Athens 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