Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, NC: $66.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Jacksonville, NC runs $66.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,872 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for an air traffic controller stands at $66.40, which is notably lower than the national median of $73.02. This discrepancy highlights the regional differences in pay within the profession. For part-time air traffic controllers working three days a week, this hourly rate means a stable income while allowing for a balanced work-life schedule. The hourly rate also fits well into typical working environments, like radar consoles at en route centers or control towers where controllers monitor heavy traffic. Those at the lower end of the pay scale might make around $38.52 an hour, while top earners can reach up to $93.82. Such figures are derived from projected data based on the annual salaries for 2026.
About the Jacksonville 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) | $38.52 | $308.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.81 | $382.46 |
| Median (P50) | $66.40 | $531.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.04 | $672.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.82 | $750.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $66.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.40/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, NC can expect to earn approximately $138,120 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,685. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,656.15 | $11,510 | $138,120 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,593.69 | $6,906 | $82,872 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,062.46 | $4,604 | $55,248 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Jacksonville) | $66.40 |
| 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 Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $138,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.06% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $137,435.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.40/hr = $82,872/year (purchasing power: $88,538).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,120/year (purchasing power: $147,564).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Jacksonville grew 20.4% from $53.77/hr (2019) to $64.74/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.11/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
Given that part-time air traffic controllers working twenty-four hours a week might take home approximately $56,608 annually, the earning potential can vary significantly compared to full-time counterparts. The environment in Jacksonville allows per-diem air traffic controller pay to be negotiable, especially during facility transfer training. Overtime opportunities can significantly boost effective hourly compensation, with controllers at understaffed locations frequently working 50-60 hours a week and earning an additional $50,000 to $100,000 annually in overtime pay. Various employers, from FAA en route centers to military bases, offer different compensation characteristics that affect hourly rates. Some controllers may opt for lower pay with benefits, while others might choose a higher hourly rate without health insurance. Overall, understanding the trade-offs between wages and benefits is vital for those navigating their career options in Jacksonville, NC.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville 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