Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $76.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Nashville, TN runs $76.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $159,537 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $79.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $95,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, Tennessee, air traffic controllers earn a competitive median hourly rate of $76.70, exceeding the national median of $73.02. This rate provides an attractive opportunity for those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, as well as per-diem roles that might be common in various work environments, including en route centers and airport traffic control towers. For controllers working in Nashville, the hourly pay ranges from $50.34 for entry-level positions to $87.36 for experienced controllers at the top of the pay scale. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering a factual grounding for both potential and current air traffic controllers in assessing their financial prospects within this essential field.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.34 | $402.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.00 | $519.99 |
| Median (P50) | $76.70 | $613.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.22 | $665.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.36 | $698.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $76.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $76.70/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $159,540 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,042. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,068.07 | $13,295 | $159,540 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,840.84 | $7,977 | $95,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,227.23 | $5,318 | $63,816 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Nashville) | $76.70 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $159,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.04% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 14.40% above the Tennessee state average of $139,456.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $76.70/hr = $95,724/year (purchasing power: $99,363).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $159,540/year (purchasing power: $165,604).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$62.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$76.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $65.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Nashville grew 20.4% from $62.11/hr (2019) to $74.78/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.67/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Exploring the financial outlook for part-time air traffic controllers, working 24 hours a week at the prevailing rate can lead to a substantial annual income. While full-time roles traditionally offer stable earnings, part-time controllers have the option to pivot toward per-diem positions, where they can negotiate pay based on need, particularly during facility transfers. Given the chronic understaffing at many FAA facilities, overtime pay can significantly boost financial take-home, with many controllers working upwards of 50-60 hours weekly, creating opportunities to enhance their effective hourly compensation. In Nashville, the pay structure varies by employer type, affecting compensation levels: FAA en route centers, TRACONs, military roles, and contract towers each have distinct pay scales. Benefits such as health insurance might lead some controllers to accept lower hourly rates, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. Hence, negotiation tactics become crucial; understanding the local pay environment and facility demand can greatly influence compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
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 Nashville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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