Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $92.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Atlanta, GA runs $92.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $191,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $91.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $114,861 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Air traffic controllers in Atlanta, Georgia, command a median hourly pay of $92.04, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This hourly rate reflects the specialized skills and responsibilities these professionals hold, particularly in settings such as en route center radar consoles, airport traffic control towers, and TRACON facilities. The hourly pay scale ranges from $54.81 for entry-level controllers to $107.30 for those at the higher end of the pay scale. For part-time workers, typically logging around 24 hours a week, this translates into robust earnings that enable a comfortable lifestyle in Atlanta, where the cost of living is slightly above the national average. The BLS data indicates starkly how lucrative the profession can be, making it an attractive option for both career starters and seasoned professionals alike.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.81 | $438.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82.05 | $656.37 |
| Median (P50) | $92.04 | $736.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103.25 | $825.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.30 | $858.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $92.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $92.04/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $191,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $110,443. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,681.44 | $15,953 | $191,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,208.87 | $9,572 | $114,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,472.58 | $6,381 | $76,574 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Atlanta) | $92.04 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $191,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.04% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 35.40% above the Georgia state average of $141,386.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $92.04/hr = $114,861/year (purchasing power: $114,794).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $191,435/year (purchasing power: $191,324).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$70.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$89.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$92.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $75.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $77.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $81.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $84.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $87.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $89.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Atlanta grew 28.0% from $70.09/hr (2019) to $89.73/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $94.40/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Atlanta
Examining the part-time earning potential, an air traffic controller working three days a week could realistically take home around $43,993 annually, based on a consistent 24-hour work week. For those engaged in per-diem or agency work, the financial picture shifts dramatically due to the prevalence of overtime. Controllers often find themselves putting in 50 to 60 hours a week, with overtime pay at time-and-a-half, which can elevate their effective hourly compensation considerably beyond the base rates. Additionally, controllers in different facility types can experience varied earnings; for example, those working at FAA en route centers or busy terminal control might find higher compensation compared to their peers at smaller FAA contract towers. Many choose to prioritize benefits like health insurance over higher hourly pay, weighing trade-offs carefully, especially in an industry notorious for staffing shortages that can lead to lucrative work conditions. Negotiating terms in this field can be advantageous, particularly in Atlanta's competitive job market, as both salary and benefits remain vital factors in recruiting and retaining talented professionals.
More salary data for Atlanta, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Atlanta. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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