Air Traffic Controller Salary in Roswell, GA: $187,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Roswell, GA earns a median $187,095/year (≈ $89.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Roswell's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $200,961 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 32.3% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Roswell, Georgia, the compensation for air traffic controllers is notably competitive, with a median annual salary projected at $187,095 for 2026. This figure positions the local market significantly above the national average for air traffic controller salaries, which stands at $151,886, representing a 23.18% increase. The salary range for professionals in this field stretches from $108,515 at the 10th percentile to $275,276 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various tiers of air traffic control operations, particularly between terminal and en route facilities. Given these dynamics, Roswell's air traffic controller pay provides an attractive option for those considering a career in this sector.
About the Roswell Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,515 | $52.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,708 | $64.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $187,095 | $89.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $239,481 | $115.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $275,276 | $132.35 |
Median Salary Position
23.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roswell
In Roswell, GA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $166,761 (2026 est.). At $187,095, the local median is 23.18% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roswell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roswell Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Roswell median: $187,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roswell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $141,417 | +32.30% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +23.18% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Roswell, GA earn a median of $187,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.18% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 32.30% above the Georgia state average of $141,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roswell 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.
Roswell, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $187,095 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $200,961 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$151,501
2025 BLS Actual
$182,407
2026 Current Est.
$187,095
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Roswell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,501 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,653 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $162,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $169,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,912 | Actual |
| 2025 | $182,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $187,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $191,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roswell metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $151,501 (2019) to $182,407 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $191,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,402 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roswell 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) | $108,515 – $134,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,708 – $187,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $187,095 – $239,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $239,481 – $275,276 |
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 Roswell
The job market for air traffic controllers in Roswell remains stable, with only 19 professionals currently employed in the area. While the cost-of-living index is below the national average at 93.1, this metric enhances the effective purchasing power of salaries earned by controllers. Employment opportunities with FAA en route centers typically command the highest salaries, making positions at these facilities particularly desirable. Factors influencing the pay discrepancy include tier levels—where en route controllers generally earn more than their terminal or tower counterparts—along with certification status and available shift differentials. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, aspiring controllers should focus on obtaining their Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status swiftly and be open to taking on additional shifts and overtime, which can significantly elevate total compensation over time in a context of ongoing sector-specific staffing shortages.
More salary data for Roswell, 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 $182,407 for air traffic controllersin the Roswell 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 Roswell 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