Air Traffic Controller Salary in Boone, NC: $131,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Boone, NC earns a median $131,187/year (≈ $63.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Boone's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $140,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boone, North Carolina, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $131,187, which reflects a local market that is approximately 13.63% below the national median of $151,886 for 2026. The salary range for this occupation in Boone reflects significant variation, starting at $76,088 for the 10th percentile and reaching up to $173,978 for the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. Given the tier system of facilities, controllers employed at en route Level 12 positions typically command higher salaries compared to those in terminal Level 11 and tower Level 7 roles, making it essential for professionals in Boone to consider the type of facility when evaluating potential earnings.
About the Boone Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,088 | $36.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,455 | $45.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,187 | $63.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,092 | $77.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,978 | $83.65 |
Median Salary Position
13.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boone
In Boone, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,890 (2026 est.). At $131,187, the local median is 13.63% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boone: You'd be above the median
How Boone Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Boone median: $131,187/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boone Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,513 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -13.63% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Boone, NC earn a median of $131,187 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.60% below the North Carolina state average of $137,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boone has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boone, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $131,187 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,157 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,229
2025 BLS Actual
$127,900
2026 Current Est.
$131,187
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Boone (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,229 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,068 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,658 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,288 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boone metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $106,229 (2019) to $127,900 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,330 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boone 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) | $76,088 – $94,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,455 – $131,187 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,187 – $161,092 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,092 – $173,978 |
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 Boone
In Boone, the local job market currently has six air traffic controllers employed, a number reflective of both the limited opportunities and the relative cost of living in the area, which stands at a cost-of-living index of 93.6. This lower index can enhance the purchasing power of the salaries earned by air traffic controllers, but it also emphasizes that higher-paying positions within the FAA en route centers and TRACONs are limited. Compensation in Boone can vary greatly based on facility type, with en route controllers typically earning the most, followed by those in terminal roles and at airport traffic control towers. Effective strategies for maximizing pay include pursuing certifications to become a certified professional controller (CPC), seeking out overtime opportunities, and positioning oneself for shifts that offer additional pay differentials, thereby enhancing overall earnings in this market.
More salary data for Boone, NC:
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 $127,900 for air traffic controllersin the Boone 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 Boone 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