Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Wilmington, NC: $79,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Wilmington, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,680 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilmington's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,128 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,380) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For newcomers entering the air traffic control field in Wilmington, North Carolina, the starting air traffic controller salary is projected to be $79,680 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary scale and is a stepping stone compared to the median annual salary of $137,380 for air traffic controllers in the area. Early-career professionals can anticipate a gradual increase in their earnings as they move past the initial phase, with the potential to reach $98,913 by the 25th percentile within the first few years. Wilmington currently offers a thriving job market in aviation, making it a potentially advantageous location for recent graduates to build their careers in this field.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilmington
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 Wilmington
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Wilmington, NC typically start between $79,680 and $98,913 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $129,945 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,380 — 9.55% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in North Carolina of $32,000 represents just 40.16% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($79,680/year) in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington
- 1Research the Wilmington market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $79,680 to $98,913, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilmington'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 Wilmington is $129,945 ( 163.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,680, experienced hygienists can earn up to $209,625.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,689
2025 BLS Actual
$77,684
2026 Current Est.
$79,680
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,077 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,883 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,684 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,728 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Wilmington, NC grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,689 in 2019 to $77,684 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,728. New graduates entering the Wilmington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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 Wilmington
In Wilmington, the primary employer of newly minted air traffic controllers is the FAA, which conducts periodic hiring through 'off-the-street' announcements for candidates under 31 years of age, along with recruitment via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. Essential qualifications for prospective controllers include being a U.S. citizen, meeting age limits, and possessing either a bachelor's degree or a combination of education and work experience. Training at the FAA Academy is crucial, often lasting 3-5 months, followed by a facility-specific training period that can take an additional 1-3 years. As federal employees on the FG pay scale, newly hired controllers in Wilmington may experience salary growth above entry-level as they gain experience and are promoted to a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) position. With the industry experiencing chronic understaffing issues, realistic salary expectations for the first three years can lead to increased income as controller duties expand, and overtime opportunities become available, often driven by high-demand air traffic volumes.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Wilmington in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Wilmington?
Is aviation school worth it in Wilmington?
What do new air traffic controllers make right out of school in Wilmington?
How do I become a air traffic controller in North Carolina?
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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 Wilmington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilmington 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