Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Macon, GA: $80,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Macon, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,884 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Macon's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,879 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,454) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective air traffic controllers starting their careers in Macon, GA, can expect an entry-level air traffic controller salary of around $80,884 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $139,454, highlighting a substantial gap for new graduates entering the field. Over the first three to five years, as controllers gain experience, salaries typically progress from the 10th percentile of approximately $80,884 to around $100,407, allowing for a more promising financial outlook as one advances. Given the ongoing demand for air traffic controllers, Macon currently presents a viable market for new graduates, especially considering the stable growth rate of 2.57% anticipated for this profession.
About the Macon Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Macon
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 Macon
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Macon, GA typically start between $80,884 and $100,407 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $123,326 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,454 — 8.19% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Georgia of $35,000 represents just 43.27% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($80,884/year) in Macon. 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 Macon
- 1Research the Macon market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $80,884 to $100,407, 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 Macon, 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 Macon for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Macon'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 Macon is $123,326 ( 152.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,884, experienced hygienists can earn up to $204,210.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,711
2025 BLS Actual
$78,857
2026 Current Est.
$80,884
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Macon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,711 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,165 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,619 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,857 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,962 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Macon, GA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,711 in 2019 to $78,857 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,962. New graduates entering the Macon job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Macon 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 Macon
In Macon, several employers actively recruit fresh graduates, with the FAA being a primary source of employment for new controllers. The FAA primarily hires through public bid windows designed for candidates under 31 years of age, except for military veterans, and also through partnerships with universities under the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). An air traffic controller's starting salary in Macon can be boosted through specific credentials, such as a bachelor’s degree, demonstrating professional experience, and successfully passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). Furthermore, controllers undergo initial qualification training at the FAA Academy, lasting three to five months, followed by facility-specific training that can extend up to three years. Given the high demand, especially after the staffing shortages seen post-2013, new graduates should aim for sustained progression in their career, understanding that while initial salaries may be modest, the potential for lucrative earnings exists at top-tier facilities nationwide.
More salary data for Macon, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Macon in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Macon?
Is aviation school worth it in Macon?
What do new air traffic controllers make right out of school in Macon?
How do I become a air traffic controller in Georgia?
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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 Macon. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Macon 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