Air Traffic Controller Salary in Johns Creek, GA: $138,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Johns Creek, GA earns a median $138,216/year (≈ $66.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Johns Creek's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $148,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Johns Creek, Georgia, reaches a median annual figure of $138,216, reflecting a slight dip compared to the national median of $151,886. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, suggest a salary range that spans from $80,166 at the 10th percentile to $201,436 at the 90th percentile. This competitive local salary structure is indicative of the job market dynamics specific to the area, particularly the presence of various facility tiers, including en route, terminal, and airport control towers. Controllers at higher echelon facilities typically command greater salaries, further influencing local compensation patterns.
About the Johns Creek Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,166 | $38.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,515 | $47.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,216 | $66.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,917 | $85.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,436 | $96.85 |
Median Salary Position
9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johns Creek
In Johns Creek, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,270 (2026 est.). At $138,216, the local median is 9% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johns Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johns Creek Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Johns Creek median: $138,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johns Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,470 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.00% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Johns Creek, GA earn a median of $138,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.30% below the Georgia state average of $141,470.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johns Creek 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.
Johns Creek, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $138,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,460 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,921
2025 BLS Actual
$134,753
2026 Current Est.
$138,216
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Johns Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,682 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,073 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johns Creek metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,921 (2019) to $134,753 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,847 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johns Creek 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) | $80,166 – $99,515 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,515 – $138,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,216 – $176,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,917 – $201,436 |
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 Johns Creek
Currently, Johns Creek employs 18 air traffic controllers, a significant factor in understanding local job availability and competition. The cost of living index stands at 93.1, indicating that living expenses here are relatively lower compared to the national average. This affordability can enhance purchasing power for those in the profession, particularly as the job market also grapples with chronic staffing shortages, stemming from a combination of mandatory retirements and the aftermath of budget cuts affecting the FAA. Among the prominent employers, the FAA's en route facilities tend to offer the highest pay, while TRACONs and tower facilities generally provide lower compensation tiers. Controllers looking to optimize their air traffic controller pay in Johns Creek, GA, can consider pursuing CPC certification, exploiting overtime opportunities, and taking on positions in en route centers where pay rates often exceed those at terminal and tower facilities.
More salary data for Johns Creek, 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 $134,753 for air traffic controllersin the Johns Creek 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 Johns Creek 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