Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Concord, NC: $67.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Concord, NC runs $67.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,089 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Concord's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,651 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Concord, North Carolina, air traffic controllers can expect a median hourly pay of $67.83, which falls short of the national average of $73.02. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time workers who may operate in various environments, such as en route centers with radar consoles, TRACON facilities near major airports, and control tower cabs offering 360-degree views of air traffic. The hourly pay range for controllers in this region spans from $39.35 for entry-level positions to as much as $100.46 for top earners. Workers engaged in part-time roles, say three days a week, can still generate significant income while enjoying greater flexibility, making this profession appealing for those seeking a balance between work and personal life.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.35 | $314.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.83 | $390.67 |
| Median (P50) | $67.83 | $542.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.83 | $694.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.46 | $803.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Concord
Based on $67.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.83/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Concord, NC can expect to earn approximately $141,085 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,395. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Concord.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Concord
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,713.18 | $11,757 | $141,085 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,627.91 | $7,054 | $84,651 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,085.27 | $4,703 | $56,434 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Concord) | $67.83 |
| 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 Concord, NC earn a median of $141,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.11% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.70% above the North Carolina state average of $137,380.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.83/hr = $84,651/year (purchasing power: $90,439).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,085/year (purchasing power: $150,732).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Concord grew 20.4% from $54.93/hr (2019) to $66.13/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.57/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 Concord 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 Concord
Examining the financial landscape for air traffic controllers reveals a range of earning potential informed by employment type and hours worked. A controller working part-time for 24 hours a week could earn around $84,264 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. However, controllers can significantly enhance their earnings through overtime, often working 50 to 60 hours per week and effectively increasing their hourly compensation above base rates. Additionally, per diem opportunities arise during training or at understaffed facilities where hourly rates fluctuate based on the facility's demands and employee agreements. Job types vary between FAA en route centers, TRACONs, airport towers, and military facilities, each impacting pay and benefits. Many controllers face a trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower pay that includes health insurance coverage. Negotiating strategies in Concord may involve emphasizing experience and flexibility to capture favorable terms, especially in the current acute shortage of controllers that the FAA is experiencing amidst ongoing staffing challenges.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
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 Concord. 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 Concord 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