Air Traffic Controller Salary in Georgia: $173,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $173,283/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $186,126 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($190,291), Atlanta ($186,640), Roswell ($182,407).
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Georgia can expect an average median salary of $173,283, which is 14.1% higher than the national median of $151,886. The highest salaries can be found in Sandy Springs, where the average is $195,181, while the lowest is in Griffin at $131,533, indicating a salary gap of $63,648. This disparity can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for air traffic services, and the concentration of traffic at key airports such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Georgia's air traffic controller job market is currently strong, with a total of 1,309 professionals employed in the field and an annual growth rate projected at 2.57%. State licensing requirements and specific scope of practice laws align with federal regulations, ensuring that Georgia's controllers are well-qualified to handle the complexities of air traffic management. Major cities like Atlanta ($191,437) and Roswell ($187,095) also reflect the higher demand and responsibility levels placed on controllers in urban areas. Overall, the outlook for air traffic controllers in Georgia appears positive, with steady employment growth and salaries that exceed national averages, driven by ongoing infrastructure development and air travel demand.
Georgia Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $76,288 (lowest entry-level) to $282,565 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia air traffic controllers earn 14.09% more than the national median (+$21,397/year difference).
Georgia Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Georgia range from $102,361 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $217,402 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $173,283. The Georgia median is $21,397 above the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $83.31/hr. Approximately 1,309 air traffic controllers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$141,923
2025 BLS Actual
$168,941
2026 Current Est.
$173,283
2019–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,923 | Actual |
| 2020 | $157,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $161,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $168,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $171,514 | Actual |
| 2024 | $161,981 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,941 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,736 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 19.0% from $141,923 (2019) to $168,941 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,736 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,813 (25.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Griffin | $131,533 |
| Canton | $134,030 |
| Tucker | $134,348 |
| Peachtree City | $134,689 |
| Cartersville | $134,691 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | $195,181 | 93.1 | $209,647 |
| Roswell | $187,095 | 93.1 | $200,961 |
| Atlanta | $191,437 | 100.058 | $191,326 |
| Athens | $145,590 | 93.1 | $156,380 |
| Augusta | $145,291 | 93.1 | $156,059 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $102,361 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $173,283 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $217,402 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $195,181 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $191,437 |
| 3 | Roswell | $187,095 |
| 4 | Athens | $145,590 |
| 5 | Augusta | $145,291 |
| 6 | Alpharetta | $142,841 |
| 7 | Columbus | $142,741 |
| 8 | South Fulton | $142,676 |
| 9 | Savannah | $142,037 |
| 10 | Brookhaven | $141,397 |
| 11 | Lawrenceville | $140,416 |
| 12 | Statesboro | $140,262 |
| 13 | Woodstock | $140,098 |
| 14 | Warner Robins | $140,097 |
| 15 | Albany | $140,097 |
| 16 | Stockbridge | $139,890 |
| 17 | Pooler | $139,692 |
| 18 | Valdosta | $139,560 |
| 19 | Macon | $139,454 |
| 20 | Marietta | $138,832 |
| 21 | Peachtree Corners | $138,814 |
| 22 | Johns Creek | $138,216 |
| 23 | Hinesville | $137,431 |
| 24 | Evans | $137,158 |
| 25 | Douglasville | $137,025 |
| 26 | Dunwoody | $137,017 |
| 27 | Smyrna | $136,872 |
| 28 | Dalton | $136,478 |
| 29 | McDonough | $136,291 |
| 30 | Newnan | $136,071 |
| 31 | Milton | $136,016 |
| 32 | Kennesaw | $134,995 |
| 33 | Gainesville | $134,809 |
| 34 | Rome | $134,809 |
| 35 | Cartersville | $134,691 |
| 36 | Peachtree City | $134,689 |
| 37 | Tucker | $134,348 |
| 38 | Canton | $134,030 |
| 39 | Griffin | $131,533 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Georgia?
How does Georgia air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Georgia?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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