Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Woodstock, GA: $81,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Woodstock, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,257 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woodstock's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,279 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($140,098) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Launching a career as an air traffic controller in Woodstock, Georgia, presents promising financial prospects for new graduates. In 2026, the starting air traffic controller salary in Woodstock is projected at $81,257, which provides a solid foundation for early-career professionals looking to break into this field. This entry-level salary is considerably lower than the city’s median annual pay of $140,098, but the gap indicates a growth potential as controllers gain experience and advance in their careers. Within the first few years, new controllers can expect their earnings to rise, moving from the starting range up to approximately $104,534 at the 25th percentile, allowing for a realistic and upward trajectory in this dynamic occupation.
About the Woodstock Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woodstock
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 Woodstock
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Woodstock, GA typically start between $81,257 and $104,534 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,121 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $140,098 — 7.76% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Georgia of $35,000 represents just 43.07% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($81,257/year) in Woodstock. 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 Woodstock
- 1Research the Woodstock market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $81,257 to $104,534, 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 Woodstock, 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 Woodstock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woodstock'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 Woodstock is $112,121 ( 137.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,257, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,378.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,028
2025 BLS Actual
$79,221
2026 Current Est.
$81,257
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Woodstock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,028 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,503 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,342 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,968 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,221 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,345 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Woodstock, GA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,028 in 2019 to $79,221 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,345. New graduates entering the Woodstock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodstock 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 Woodstock
The hiring landscape for entry-level air traffic controllers in Woodstock often centers around opportunities with the FAA. The agency actively recruits through public bid windows, specifically targeting applicants under age 31 for entry-level positions, unless they are military veterans. Completing the FAA's Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program is a highly recommended path for candidates aiming to boost their starting air traffic controller pay in GA. New hires must navigate various credential and training requirements, culminating in essential FAA Academy training that typically lasts between 3 to 5 months, followed by facility-specific on-the-job training that can last an additional 1 to 3 years. With the context of federal employment on the FG pay scale, aspiring controllers can look forward to significant salary increases as they gain certification and experience, aligning themselves with competitive compensation structures common at top-tier facilities. Based on the chronic understaffing issues in the industry, new graduates have a clear opportunity to rise swiftly in this stable and rewarding career path.
More salary data for Woodstock, 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 Woodstock. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woodstock 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