Air Traffic Controller Salary in Canton, GA: $134,030 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Canton, GA earns a median $134,030/year (≈ $64.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Canton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $143,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Canton, GA is projected to reach a median of $134,030, a figure that lags behind the national median of $151,886. The compensation range for local controllers is between $77,738 at the 10th percentile and up to $191,576 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied earning potential based on experience, certification status, and location of employment. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take into account cost of living adjustments within the region. Given the competitive nature of the job market, aspiring controllers should be aware of the roughly 1-3 year timeline to achieve fully certified professional controller (CPC) status that may impact their earnings during their early careers.
About the Canton Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,738 | $37.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,502 | $46.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,030 | $64.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,559 | $82.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,576 | $92.11 |
Median Salary Position
11.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,838 (2026 est.). At $134,030, the local median is 11.76% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Canton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Canton median: $134,030/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,382 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.76% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Canton, GA earn a median of $134,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.76% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.20% below the Georgia state average of $141,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton 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.
Canton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,030 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,963 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,532
2025 BLS Actual
$130,672
2026 Current Est.
$134,030
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,532 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,088 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,497 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,703 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,030 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,475 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,532 (2019) to $130,672 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,475 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,943 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $77,738 – $96,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,502 – $134,030 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,030 – $171,559 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,559 – $191,576 |
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 Canton
While Canton has a small cadre of only four employed air traffic controllers, the city offers a reasonable cost of living with an index of 93.1, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries for individuals in this profession. Controllers who work in the FAA's en route centers (ARTCC), particularly those at higher facility levels, typically earn the most, while positions at terminal radar approach control (TRACON) and airport traffic control towers generally pay less. With mandatory retirement at age 56 and the need for efficiency in staffing, many controllers find themselves accruing overtime, which can significantly boost their overall income. Furthermore, maximizing air traffic controller pay in Canton requires understanding the local market dynamics, including the benefits of shift differentials and overtime opportunities, which are abundant due to chronic staffing shortages.
More salary data for Canton, 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 $130,672 for air traffic controllersin the Canton 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 Canton 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