Air Traffic Controller Salary in Newnan, GA: $136,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Newnan, GA earns a median $136,071/year (≈ $65.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Newnan's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $146,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Newnan, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $136,071 in 2026, representing an important compensation figure for this demanding role. With a salary range spanning from $78,921 at the lower 10th percentile to $193,607 at the 90th percentile, this reflects the diverse experiences and responsibilities of controllers, particularly in understaffed facilities that often require extended 50-60 hour work weeks. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels, suggest that while local salaries in Newnan are lower than the national median of $151,886, the effective compensation can be significantly enhanced through overtime, providing an opportunity for controllers to improve their overall earnings.
About the Newnan Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,921 | $37.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,687 | $47.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,071 | $65.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,929 | $83.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,607 | $93.08 |
Median Salary Position
10.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newnan
In Newnan, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,686 (2026 est.). At $136,071, the local median is 10.41% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newnan: You'd be above the median
How Newnan Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Newnan median: $136,071/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newnan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,446 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.41% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Newnan, GA earn a median of $136,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.80% below the Georgia state average of $141,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newnan 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.
Newnan, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,071 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,156 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,184
2025 BLS Actual
$132,662
2026 Current Est.
$136,071
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Newnan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,184 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,841 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,241 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,662 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,568 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newnan metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,184 (2019) to $132,662 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,384 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newnan 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) | $78,921 – $99,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,687 – $136,071 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,071 – $173,929 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,929 – $193,607 |
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 Newnan
Newnan's job market currently supports 10 air traffic controllers, all of whom benefit from a cost-of-living index of 93.1, which indicates a slightly cheaper living environment than the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance purchasing power, making the effective air traffic controller pay in Newnan more appealing. The highest-paying positions often belong to FAA en route centers, which typically handle larger volumes of high-altitude traffic. Several factors contribute to the salary variance, including the type of facility and whether the controller holds a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) designation. Pay can increase through shift differentials for evenings or weekends, abundant mandatory overtime, and location-based pay raises. For individuals looking to maximize their earnings in Newnan, pursuing beyond-basic training, targeting positions at FAA facilities, and being adaptable to overtime are key strategies for success in navigating the local air traffic controller job market.
More salary data for Newnan, 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 $132,662 for air traffic controllersin the Newnan 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 Newnan 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