Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brookhaven, GA: $141,397 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Brookhaven, GA earns a median $141,397/year (≈ $67.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Brookhaven's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $151,876 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookhaven, Georgia, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $141,397 in 2026, which reflects a 6.91% lower earning potential compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary for this occupation in Brookhaven ranges from $82,010 at the 10th percentile to $212,044 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local economic conditions. With staffing shortages prompting many controllers to work between 50 to 60 hours each week, the potential for additional overtime significantly boosts total compensation for those in the field.
About the Brookhaven Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,806 | $48.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,397 | $67.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,134 | $85.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,044 | $101.94 |
Median Salary Position
6.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookhaven
In Brookhaven, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,034 (2026 est.). At $141,397, the local median is 6.91% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookhaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookhaven Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Brookhaven median: $141,397/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookhaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.91% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Brookhaven, GA earn a median of $141,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.91% lower than the national median of $151,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookhaven 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.
Brookhaven, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,397 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,876 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,497
2025 BLS Actual
$137,854
2026 Current Est.
$141,397
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brookhaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,397 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,497 (2019) to $137,854 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,534 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookhaven 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) | $82,010 – $101,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,806 – $141,397 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,397 – $178,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,134 – $212,044 |
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 Brookhaven
Currently, Brookhaven has eight employed air traffic controllers, a number that reflects continued opportunities in this sector despite the recent economic fluctuations. The cost of living in the area, rated at an index of 93.1, means that controllers may find their take-home earnings stretch further compared to many other urban environments. In this market, federal employers such as FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers tend to offer competitive pay, particularly for those with more experience and certifications. Differences in compensation arise from factors like facility type, controller certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime due to chronic understaffing. For applicants or current controllers aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Brookhaven, focusing on certifications, seeking opportunities at higher-tier facilities, and being flexible with shifts can significantly bolster overall earnings.
More salary data for Brookhaven, GA:
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
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 $137,854 for air traffic controllersin the Brookhaven 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 Brookhaven 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