Air Traffic Controller Salary in Augusta, GA: $145,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Augusta, GA earns a median $145,291/year (≈ $69.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $156,059 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering an air traffic controller career in Augusta, Georgia, 2026 shows a median annual salary of $145,291, slightly below the national average of $151,886. The local salary range spans from $84,269 at the 10th percentile to a top-tier $215,768 at the 90th percentile. Notably, these projections derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. For aspiring controllers, acquiring Certification Training Program (CTP) status can take 1-3 years to reach full compensation levels, which reflects the developmental nature of this profession. This salary structure and timeline highlight Augusta's competitive yet accessible air traffic controller job market.
About the Augusta Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,269 | $40.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,610 | $50.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,291 | $69.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,973 | $89.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,768 | $103.74 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,499 (2026 est.). At $145,291, the local median is 4.34% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Augusta median: $145,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,472 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.34% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Augusta, GA earn a median of $145,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.70% above the Georgia state average of $141,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $145,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,059 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,650
2025 BLS Actual
$141,651
2026 Current Est.
$145,291
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,758 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,117 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,836 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,651 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,025 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,650 (2019) to $141,651 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,025 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,375 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,269 – $104,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,610 – $145,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,291 – $185,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,973 – $215,768 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Augusta
The job market in Augusta offers positions for 42 air traffic controllers, making it a concentrated area for this critical workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, earning power in Augusta holds up well against expenses, enhancing take-home salaries and quality of life for public sector employees. The highest-paying positions typically arise from FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach controls, with those holding CPC status benefiting from substantial pay increases. Variability in pay stems from factors such as the specific facility type, certification status, and available shift differentials, which can all significantly enhance earnings. Controllers in Augusta may maximize their pay by considering overtime opportunities, shift work, and potential transfers to higher-paying facilities, especially in a market shaped by frequent staffing shortages.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $141,651 for air traffic controllersin the Augusta metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Augusta 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