Air Traffic Controller Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $137,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $137,207/year (≈ $65.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $146,589 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is projected to reach a median annual income of $137,207. This figure reflects the local market's response to the specialized tiers within the industry, particularly the differences between en route Level 12, terminal, and tower facilities. The salary range for controllers spans from a lower 10th percentile at $79,580 to an upper 90th percentile at $205,739. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $151,886, showcasing the unique dynamics of the regional job market. With only nine air traffic controllers employed in Chapel Hill, local competition for positions and workload considerations could significantly influence individual salaries.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,789 | $47.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,207 | $65.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,530 | $84.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,739 | $98.91 |
Median Salary Position
9.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,159 (2026 est.). At $137,207, the local median is 9.66% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $137,207/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,482 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.66% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $137,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.66% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $137,482.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $137,207 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,589 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,104
2025 BLS Actual
$133,769
2026 Current Est.
$137,207
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,104 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,816 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,469 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,103 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,769 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,104 (2019) to $133,769 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,629 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $79,580 – $98,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,789 – $137,207 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,207 – $175,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,530 – $205,739 |
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 Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill's cost of living index, currently at 93.6, suggests a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, which, combined with local air traffic controller pay, positively impacts the purchasing power of controllers in the area. Controllers working at FAA en route centers often see higher pay compared to their counterparts in the more localized terminal radar approach control (TRACON) or airport traffic control towers. Factors such as facility tier, certification status, and additional compensation like shift differentials and mandatory overtime significantly shape the salary landscape in Chapel Hill. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing positions within high-demand en route centers or acquiring Traffic Management Coordinator status could yield substantial benefits. Understanding the implications of locality pay and the potential for significant overtime is crucial, especially in a region where the local FAA presence is smaller but still holds significant employment potential for professionals in this essential role.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, 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 $133,769 for air traffic controllersin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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