Air Traffic Controller Salary in Columbus, GA: $142,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Columbus, GA earns a median $142,741/year (≈ $68.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $153,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Columbus, Georgia, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $142,741. This figure reflects the economic reality of a challenging job market characterized by chronic understaffing, often resulting in 50-60 hour workweeks that can significantly enhance overall compensation through overtime pay. The salary range for controllers in this area extends from $82,789 at the 10th percentile to $215,865 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the pressing demand for controllers in this region and the competitive nature of their pay relative to the national median of $151,886.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,789 | $39.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,773 | $49.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,741 | $68.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,708 | $87.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,865 | $103.78 |
Median Salary Position
6.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,076 (2026 est.). At $142,741, the local median is 6.02% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Columbus median: $142,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,467 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.02% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Columbus, GA earn a median of $142,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% above the Georgia state average of $141,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus 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.
Columbus, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,741 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,320 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,585
2025 BLS Actual
$139,164
2026 Current Est.
$142,741
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,585 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,938 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,287 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,108 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,585 (2019) to $139,164 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,824 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $82,789 – $102,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,773 – $142,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,741 – $182,708 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,708 – $215,865 |
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 Columbus
Columbus employs a modest number of air traffic controllers—29 in total—within a cost-of-living index of 93.1, indicating an affordability advantage compared to the national average. This context enhances the take-home purchasing power of controllers in the area. Among local employers, FAA en route centers tend to offer the highest compensation. Factors that influence the earnings potential include the facility classification, certification status, shift differentials, and substantial opportunities for overtime work, particularly crucial due to the ongoing staffing shortages. Controllers seeking to maximize their earnings in Columbus should consider aiming for positions in en route facilities, pursuing CPC certification, and being flexible with shift work, especially when overtime is available, to capitalize on the substantial pay variations tied to facility tiers and workload demands.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 $139,164 for air traffic controllersin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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