Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Cornelius, NC: $65.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Cornelius, NC runs $65.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,629 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Cornelius's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,374 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Cornelius, North Carolina, will earn a median hourly rate of $65.20, which is notably lower than the national average of $73.02. This disparity highlights the cost of living and varying demand for air traffic services in the region. For part-time workers, such as those operating just three days a week, this translates to a manageable income while allowing flexibility. Often, controllers find themselves in a variety of environments, including en route centers and airport towers, each presenting unique operational challenges. The hourly pay range in Cornelius spans from $38.16 at the entry level (10th percentile) to an impressive $89.65 for the top earners (90th percentile). These figures are adapted from annual salary estimates, underscoring how competitive compensation can be across different roles and responsibilities in the air traffic control field in NC.
About the Cornelius 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) | $38.16 | $305.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.33 | $386.65 |
| Median (P50) | $65.20 | $521.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.44 | $651.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.65 | $717.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cornelius
Based on $65.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.20/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cornelius, NC can expect to earn approximately $135,624 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,244. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cornelius.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cornelius
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,608.15 | $11,302 | $135,624 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,564.89 | $6,781 | $81,374 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,043.26 | $4,521 | $54,250 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Cornelius) | $65.20 |
| 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 Cornelius, NC earn a median of $135,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $137,416.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.20/hr = $81,374/year (purchasing power: $86,938).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,624/year (purchasing power: $144,897).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Cornelius grew 20.4% from $52.80/hr (2019) to $63.57/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.88/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 Cornelius 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 Cornelius
An intriguing aspect of the hourly pay structure for air traffic controllers involves the potential for part-time earnings versus full-time roles. A controller working 24 hours a week would see their income adjust significantly compared to the full-time counterpart, who often capitalizes on substantial overtime opportunities. The per diem air traffic controller pay in Cornelius may also fluctuate based on a range of factors such as facility needs and training requirements, particularly during seasonal spikes in air traffic. Controllers in understaffed facilities frequently take on 50-60 hour weeks, leading their effective hourly earnings to surpass their base pay due to overtime compensation. Different employer types, from FAA en route centers to smaller contract towers, can offer varying hourly rates, reflecting differing budgetary constraints and benefits packages. While some controllers might prefer positions with higher hourly pay, they often do so at the expense of comprehensive health insurance options available in federal employment. Negotiating effectively for roles in Cornelius might involve weighing these trade-offs to secure an ideal balance of pay and benefits.
More salary data for Cornelius, NC:
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 Cornelius. 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 Cornelius 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