Air Traffic Controller Salary in Leland, NC: $127,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Leland, NC earns a median $127,631/year (≈ $61.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $136,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salaries in Leland, North Carolina, reflect the dynamics of an understaffed industry where long hours contribute to effective compensation. The projected 2026 median salary for these controllers is $127,631, significantly lower than the national median of $151,886, indicating a 15.97% gap. Salary estimates for this role show a range from $75,198 at the 10th percentile to $174,982 at the 90th percentile. With many controllers often working 50-60 hour weeks, especially in facilities marked by staffing shortages, overtime becomes a vital component of overall earnings. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data take regional cost adjustments into account, making the compensation landscape in Leland unique, particularly for those taking on demanding positions.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,198 | $36.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,326 | $45.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,631 | $61.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,688 | $78.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,982 | $84.13 |
Median Salary Position
15.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,784 (2026 est.). At $127,631, the local median is 15.97% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be above the median
How Leland Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Leland median: $127,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,385 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -15.97% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Leland, NC earn a median of $127,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.97% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $137,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland 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.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $127,631 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,358 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$103,350
2025 BLS Actual
$124,433
2026 Current Est.
$127,631
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,593 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,131 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,911 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $103,350 (2019) to $124,433 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,911 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,561 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $75,198 – $94,326 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,326 – $127,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,631 – $162,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,688 – $174,982 |
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 Leland
While there are currently only six air traffic controllers employed in Leland, the local job market remains a viable option for aspiring controllers. The cost-of-living index of 93.6 suggests that housing and general expenses are below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power in the area. Among the types of employers, FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries because they manage high-altitude traffic and require advanced levels of expertise. Controllers can further enhance their pay through various avenues such as obtaining CPC certification, securing shift differentials for night and holiday work, and leveraging overtime opportunities resulting from chronic staffing shortages. Practical strategies for maximizing pay in Leland include targeting positions at FAA en route centers, pursuing continual career development, and carefully managing work schedules to capitalize on lucrative overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Leland, NC in 2026?
Is Leland, NC a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Leland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Leland?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Leland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $124,433 for air traffic controllersin the Leland 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 Leland 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