Air Traffic Controller Salary in Greenville, NC: $134,235 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Greenville, NC earns a median $134,235/year (≈ $64.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $143,413 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Greenville, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $134,235, which reflects a regional pay rate lower than the national median of $151,886. The local salary range offers flexibility, from $77,857 at the 10th percentile to $200,316 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the varied experience levels and facility tiers within the air traffic control profession. Based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, these estimates account for regional price adjustments, showing that while Greenville's pay is competitive, it remains slightly below the national average. Job seekers need to be keenly aware of how facility types—en route, terminal, and tower—impact overall compensation, especially given the city's unique employment landscape for controllers.
About the Greenville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,857 | $37.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,650 | $46.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,235 | $64.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,821 | $82.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,316 | $96.30 |
Median Salary Position
11.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,459 (2026 est.). At $134,235, the local median is 11.62% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Greenville median: $134,235/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,396 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.62% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Greenville, NC earn a median of $134,235 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.62% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.30% below the North Carolina state average of $137,396.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville 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.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,235 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,413 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,698
2025 BLS Actual
$130,872
2026 Current Est.
$134,235
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,698 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,882 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,153 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,872 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,235 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $108,698 (2019) to $130,872 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,987 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $77,857 – $96,650 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,650 – $134,235 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,235 – $171,821 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,821 – $200,316 |
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 Greenville
With only 22 air traffic controllers employed in Greenville, the local job market for this profession offers limited opportunities compared to larger metropolitan areas. The cost of living index in Greenville stands at 93.6, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among the potential employers, those at FAA en route centers tend to offer higher compensation compared to FAA terminal control and tower operations, driven by the complexities and responsibilities of managing high-altitude traffic. Factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and opportunities for overtime can significantly influence pay variations. Controllers looking to maximize their income in this market should focus on gaining certification, seek opportunities at en route centers, and leverage shift differentials whenever possible, capitalizing on a job structure that can reward those who are adaptable and prepared for the demands of the role in Greenville, NC.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 $130,872 for air traffic controllersin the Greenville 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 Greenville 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