Air Traffic Controller Salary in Griffin, GA: $131,533 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Griffin, GA earns a median $131,533/year (≈ $63.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Griffin's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $141,281 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Griffin, Georgia, the air traffic controller salary is projected to be around $131,533 in 2026, equating to approximately $63.23 per hour. The compensation spans a range from $76,288 at the lower end (P10) to $180,431 for those at the higher end (P90). These figures are reflective of local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. It's notable that this median salary falls short of the national average of $151,886, indicating the specific economic dynamics at play in Griffin. For those considering a career as an air traffic controller in this area, it is essential to understand that full pay typically requires 1 to 3 years of experience, notably influenced by attaining CPC certification. This transitional phase can dictate initial earnings and shapes the overall compensation trajectory.
About the Griffin Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,288 | $36.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,704 | $45.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,533 | $63.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,323 | $79.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,431 | $86.74 |
Median Salary Position
13.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Griffin
In Griffin, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,143 (2026 est.). At $131,533, the local median is 13.4% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Griffin: You'd be above the median
How Griffin Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Griffin median: $131,533/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Griffin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,433 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.40% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Griffin, GA earn a median of $131,533 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.40% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.00% below the Georgia state average of $141,433.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Griffin 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.
Griffin, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,533 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,281 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$106,509
2025 BLS Actual
$128,237
2026 Current Est.
$131,533
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Griffin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,509 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,528 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,237 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,533 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,913 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Griffin metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,509 (2019) to $128,237 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,913 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,404 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Griffin 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) | $76,288 – $94,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,704 – $131,533 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,533 – $165,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,323 – $180,431 |
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 Griffin
Despite the lower salary figures in Griffin, the local job market provides opportunities for aspiring air traffic controllers, with a small workforce of five currently employed in this role. The cost-of-living index in Griffin stands at 93.1, which may enhance purchasing power relative to salary, making it a viable location for those entering the field. Pay disparities in air traffic controller positions often arise from the type of facility, with en route centers and terminal radar approach controls typically providing higher salaries compared to airport traffic control towers. In this context, individuals seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Griffin should consider options like working at specific FAA en route centers or pursuing overtime opportunities and various shift differentials. Additionally, factors such as geographic locality pay for higher-demand regions can influence overall compensation. With the persistent staffing shortages faced by the FAA and mandatory retirement ages, the field remains an attractive option with room for career growth and competitive pay structures.
More salary data for Griffin, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Griffin, GA in 2026?
Is Griffin, GA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Griffin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Griffin?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Griffin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $128,237 for air traffic controllersin the Griffin 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 Griffin 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