Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tucker, GA: $77,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Tucker, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,922 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tucker's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,697 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,348) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the air traffic control field in Tucker, Georgia, can expect to start their careers with salaries around $77,922 in 2026. This figure represents the entry-level pay within the broader salary spectrum that extends up to $187,548 for more experienced controllers. Although initial wages may seem modest compared to the median salary for air traffic controllers in Tucker, which stands at $134,348, the career growth potential is significant; first job holders can anticipate an increase in earnings from the starting point to approximately $96,731 within a few years. The developing job market in Tucker presents a promising opportunity for new air traffic controller graduates, especially given the ongoing national demand for professionals in this industry.
About the Tucker Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tucker
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 Tucker
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Tucker, GA typically start between $77,922 and $96,731 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $109,626 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,348 — 11.55% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Georgia of $35,000 represents just 44.92% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($77,922/year) in Tucker. 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 Tucker
- 1Research the Tucker market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $77,922 to $96,731, 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 Tucker, 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 Tucker for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tucker'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 Tucker is $109,626 ( 140.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,922, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,548.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,195
2025 BLS Actual
$75,970
2026 Current Est.
$77,922
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tucker (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,487 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,634 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,291 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,925 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Tucker, GA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,195 in 2019 to $75,970 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,925. New graduates entering the Tucker job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucker 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 Tucker
Hiring prospects for recent graduates can be positively influenced by various avenues that the FAA provides. The FAA actively recruits through public bid windows and the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships with select universities. Additionally, military veterans can transition into these roles through the Veterans Recruitment Authority, often with reduced training requirements. To enhance starting pay, candidates should focus on obtaining essential credentials, such as a bachelor's degree, passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and completing the Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. For those aiming to boost their early career trajectory in the first few years, familiarity with the FG pay scale and understanding that controllers may work overtime due to chronic staffing shortages are critical. Positions at top-tier en route facilities can yield substantial compensation, particularly as controllers approach retirement age, allowing them to significantly increase their earnings in their final years before the mandatory retirement at age 56.
More salary data for Tucker, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Tucker. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tucker 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