Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Johns Creek, GA: $66.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Johns Creek, GA runs $66.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Johns Creek's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,936 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johns Creek, Georgia, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $66.46, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This rate reflects the compensation for controllers working in various environments, including en-route centers, terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, airport traffic control towers, and even FAA simulation classrooms. The hourly pay range in Johns Creek varies significantly, from an entry-level rate of $38.55 to seasoned professionals making $96.85 per hour. Such compensation structures allow for flexibility, with part-time controllers typically working three days a week having the potential to earn an effective hourly rate that translates into significant per diem air traffic controller pay in Johns Creek while balancing the demands of their profession in high-pressure environments.
About the Johns Creek Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.55 | $308.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.85 | $382.79 |
| Median (P50) | $66.46 | $531.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.06 | $680.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.85 | $774.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johns Creek
Based on $66.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.46/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johns Creek, GA can expect to earn approximately $138,227 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,746. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johns Creek.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johns Creek
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,658.20 | $11,519 | $138,227 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,594.92 | $6,911 | $82,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.28 | $4,608 | $55,291 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Johns Creek) | $66.46 |
| 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 Johns Creek, GA earn a median of $138,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.30% below the Georgia state average of $141,470.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.46/hr = $82,936/year (purchasing power: $89,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,227/year (purchasing power: $148,471).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Johns Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Johns Creek grew 20.4% from $53.81/hr (2019) to $64.79/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.16/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 Johns Creek 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 Johns Creek
Focusing on part-time work, the earnings for a controller working 24 hours a week can yield a robust annual income, though it typically remains lower than that of a full-time colleague. Controllers may find that the opportunity for extensive overtime could substantially enhance their hourly earnings, reflecting a trend seen in cases where many Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) exceed their scheduled hours, particularly in understaffed facilities. Overtime pay is calculated at 1.5 times the base rate, which means a controller working 50-60 hours a week could see their pay dramatically increase by earning an additional $50,000 to $100,000 annually through overtime alone. The type of facility also influences pay rates in Johns Creek; FAA en route centers tend to offer higher compensation than airport traffic control towers or FAA contract towers. Some controllers may opt for positions with lower hourly rates if it comes with benefits like health insurance, making the decision a careful balance between rate and perks, particularly given the unpredictable nature of the air traffic control job market. Negotiating for better rates can be advantageous; it’s wise to approach discussions with knowledge of the local pay trends and the benefits offered by different employers.
More salary data for Johns Creek, 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 Johns Creek. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Johns Creek 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