Air Traffic Controller Salary in Gastonia, NC: $133,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Gastonia, NC earns a median $133,169/year (≈ $64.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $142,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in Gastonia, NC, reflects the dynamics of a high-demand industry where overtime plays a significant role in overall compensation. With a projected median annual salary of $133,169 for 2026, and a salary range from $77,238 to $191,438, controllers in Gastonia are well-compensated for their responsibilities, especially given the frequent necessity for 50 to 60-hour work weeks due to staffing shortages. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, highlighting a local market that, while offering competitive pay, still trails the national median of $151,886 by approximately 12.32%. The labor market for air traffic controllers in Gastonia demonstrates a stable demand for skilled professionals, fostering an environment where effective compensation frequently reflects the pressures of workload and staffing.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,238 | $37.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,881 | $46.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,169 | $64.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,456 | $81.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,438 | $92.04 |
Median Salary Position
12.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,200 (2026 est.). At $133,169, the local median is 12.32% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $133,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,429 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.32% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $133,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.32% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% below the North Carolina state average of $137,429.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $133,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,834
2025 BLS Actual
$129,832
2026 Current Est.
$133,169
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,761 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,953 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,591 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,834 (2019) to $129,832 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,591 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,757 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $77,238 – $95,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,881 – $133,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,169 – $170,456 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,456 – $191,438 |
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 Gastonia
Examining the local employment scene, Gastonia has around 16 air traffic controllers currently working, a modest number that indicates both opportunity and competition within the field. The city's cost-of-living index of 93.6 hints at how far a controller's salary can stretch; lower living costs can enhance take-home purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Major employers in the area include FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers (ATCT), which typically provide opportunities with varying salaries based on the specific facility level. A deeper understanding of the pay structure reveals that controllers can maximize their income by seeking higher-level en route facilities that offer greater base salaries and benefits such as shift differentials and overtime. For those aspiring to join or advance in this field, focusing on gaining CPC certification and embracing overtime opportunities could lead to significant career advancements and enhanced earnings within Gastonia's market.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $129,832 for air traffic controllersin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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