Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Spring Hill, TN: $66.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Spring Hill, TN runs $66.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Spring Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,205 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Spring Hill, Tennessee, the projected median hourly pay for air traffic controllers is $66.67, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This hourly rate reflects the compensation levels for those who may work part-time, such as controllers opting for a 3-day work week. In typical environments—like en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers—controllers operate radar consoles and coordinate air traffic in high-stakes settings. The hourly pay spans a range from $38.67 for entry-level positions to approximately $99.26 for experienced professionals. These figures derive from annual salary estimates, indicating a significant financial commitment from employers amid ongoing staffing challenges.
About the Spring Hill Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.67 | $309.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.00 | $384.02 |
| Median (P50) | $66.67 | $533.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.34 | $682.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.26 | $794.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spring Hill
Based on $66.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.67/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spring Hill, TN can expect to earn approximately $138,675 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,005. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spring Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spring Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,666.82 | $11,556 | $138,675 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,600.09 | $6,934 | $83,205 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,066.73 | $4,622 | $55,470 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Spring Hill) | $66.67 |
| 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 Spring Hill, TN earn a median of $138,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% below the Tennessee state average of $139,368.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.67/hr = $83,205/year (purchasing power: $90,637).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,675/year (purchasing power: $151,062).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Spring Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Spring Hill grew 20.4% from $53.99/hr (2019) to $65.00/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.38/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 Spring Hill 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 Spring Hill
When considering part-time roles in air traffic control, a controller working 24 hours weekly could expect an annual income of about $83,001, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. This dynamic shifts notably for those taking on per-diem roles, where overtime pay can elevate earnings dramatically. Many controllers, especially in understaffed environments, may work upwards of 50-60 hours weekly, yielding substantial overtime compensation that can add considerably to their base pay. Facility types also influence hourly wages—those at FAA en route centers or military positions might receive higher compensation compared to staff at FAA contract towers. Additionally, controllers often face a trade-off between higher hourly rates and benefits, impacting their overall financial strategy. For those negotiating hourly rates in Spring Hill, understanding employer types and the potential for shifts in workload can inform salary discussions and ultimately improve compensation packages.
More salary data for Spring Hill, 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 Spring Hill. 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 Spring Hill 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