Air Traffic Controller Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $139,862 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $139,862/year (≈ $67.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $149,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning the 2026 median salary of $139,862, air traffic controllers in Fayetteville, NC can expect compensation that reflects a full salary range from $81,121 at the lower end to $214,214 at the upper end. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, provide a competitive snapshot when compared to the national median of $151,886. Controllers will typically experience a timeline that includes a developmental phase largely pegged at a lower pay scale before achieving full certification, with a notable progression in earnings likely occurring within 1-3 years. This evolving salary structure points to a promising career trajectory for those entering the field in Fayetteville, given the local demand for skilled professionals in air traffic management.
About the Fayetteville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,121 | $39.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,701 | $48.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,862 | $67.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,024 | $86.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,214 | $102.99 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,093 (2026 est.). At $139,862, the local median is 7.92% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $139,862/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,389 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.92% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $139,862 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.80% above the North Carolina state average of $137,389.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville 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.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $139,862 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,425 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,254
2025 BLS Actual
$136,358
2026 Current Est.
$139,862
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,479 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,862 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,254 (2019) to $136,358 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,203 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $81,121 – $100,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,701 – $139,862 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,862 – $179,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,024 – $214,214 |
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 Fayetteville
Fayetteville's job market for air traffic controllers features a small but relevant workforce of 37 professionals, providing a solid footing for those seeking employment in this field. With a cost-of-living index at 93.6, air traffic controller pay in Fayetteville NC offers enhanced purchasing power compared to many national averages. Aircraft management facilities, including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, often pay the highest salaries, particularly for controllers who attain full certification, which significantly boosts earning potential. Factors influencing the variation in local salaries include the type of facility, level of certification, shift differentials, and availability of overtime, with many controllers benefiting substantially from these various aspects of compensation. For those navigating the job market in Fayetteville, pursuing opportunities at these higher-paying facilities and taking advantage of overtime and special pay offers can significantly enhance earnings potential.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $136,358 for air traffic controllersin the Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville 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