Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Georgetown, KY: $59.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Georgetown, KY runs $59.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Georgetown's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,155 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Georgetown, Kentucky, the projected hourly pay for air traffic controllers stands at $59.42. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $73.02, indicating a regional variance in compensation within this profession. For those working on a part-time basis—such as controllers operating three days a week—the earnings become significant when considering the circumstances of the job. Controllers typically work in environments ranging from high-traffic airport control towers to radar facilities with less windows than expected. The hourly wage offers different financial implications for entry-level workers, starting at $34.46, and seasoned professionals, whose rates can peak at $83.82, creating a distinct contrast between early-career earners and top-tier earners in the field.
About the Georgetown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.46 | $275.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.08 | $344.64 |
| Median (P50) | $59.42 | $475.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.05 | $608.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.82 | $670.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Georgetown
Based on $59.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.42/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Georgetown, KY can expect to earn approximately $123,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,303. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Georgetown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Georgetown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,376.75 | $10,299 | $123,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,426.05 | $6,180 | $74,155 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $950.70 | $4,120 | $49,436 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Georgetown) | $59.42 |
| 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 Georgetown, KY earn a median of $123,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.64% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.40% below the Kentucky state average of $129,268.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.42/hr = $74,155/year (purchasing power: $83,040).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,591/year (purchasing power: $138,400).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Georgetown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Georgetown grew 20.4% from $48.11/hr (2019) to $57.93/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.95/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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown
When examining the earning potential in Georgetown, air traffic controllers can see considerable disparities between part-time and full-time work schedules. A controller working just three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could take home significantly less annual income compared to a full-time counterpart. Additionally, opportunities for per diem air traffic controller pay in Georgetown present another financial avenue, especially in understaffed facilities where controllers may work overtime, often earning 1.5 times their base rate. In the competitive job market, those working at FAA en route centers or contract towers might find hourly compensation varying widely based on the type of employer and level of responsibility. The choice between a slightly lower hourly wage with benefits and a higher rate without them adds complexity to the compensation discussion, although controllers should arm themselves with negotiation tactics to secure competitive pay within their specific work environments.
More salary data for Georgetown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Georgetown. 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 Georgetown 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