Air Traffic Controller Salary in Holly Springs, NC: $132,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Holly Springs, NC earns a median $132,622/year (≈ $63.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Holly Springs's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $141,690 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Holly Springs, North Carolina, air traffic controllers can earn a median annual salary of $132,622, a figure notably lower than the national median of $151,886. This discrepancy arises within the context of a local job market characterized by chronic understaffing. In many facilities, controllers frequently work 50 to 60 hours per week, resulting in additional overtime compensation that effectively boosts their annual earnings. The salary range varies significantly, from $77,227 at the lower end (P10) to $189,069 at the upper end (P90), indicating the potential for substantial income based on factors such as experience, specific employer, and workload demands. These figures derive from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the air traffic controller pay in Holly Springs.
About the Holly Springs Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,227 | $37.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,488 | $45.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,622 | $63.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,756 | $81.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,069 | $90.90 |
Median Salary Position
12.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Holly Springs
In Holly Springs, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,842 (2026 est.). At $132,622, the local median is 12.68% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Holly Springs: You'd be above the median
How Holly Springs Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Holly Springs median: $132,622/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Holly Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,432 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.68% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Holly Springs, NC earn a median of $132,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.68% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.50% below the North Carolina state average of $137,432.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Holly Springs 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.
Holly Springs, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,622 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,690 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,391
2025 BLS Actual
$129,299
2026 Current Est.
$132,622
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Holly Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,391 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,294 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,477 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Holly Springs metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,391 (2019) to $129,299 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,639 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Holly Springs 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) | $77,227 – $95,488 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,488 – $132,622 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,622 – $169,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,756 – $189,069 |
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 Holly Springs
The job market for air traffic controllers in Holly Springs is relatively small, with only ten employed in the area. This limited pool emphasizes a competitive environment where controllers can capitalize on overtime opportunities and specialized pay provisions. The cost-of-living index for Holly Springs is at 93.6, reflecting a lower-than-average cost compared to national standards, which enhances local purchasing power. Employers such as FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers. Factors that influence the variations in salary include facility level, certification status, and overtime availability, including specific enhancements for night shifts and holiday work. To maximize pay in the Holly Springs market, aspiring controllers should aim for positions at higher-tier facilities or seek opportunities that offer substantial overtime, especially in a region with ongoing staffing challenges.
More salary data for Holly Springs, 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 $129,299 for air traffic controllersin the Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs 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