Air Traffic Controller Salary in New Bern, NC: $134,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in New Bern, NC earns a median $134,787/year (≈ $64.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $144,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bern, North Carolina, the air traffic controller salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $134,787 in 2026. This competitive compensation, which falls below the national median of $151,886, reflects the dynamics of a local market defined by ongoing staffing challenges. Controllers in the area can expect salaries ranging from $78,177 at the lower decile to as much as $188,432 at the upper tier. Estimates drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions illustrate how overtime economics play a vital role in driving effective pay. The reality of working 50 to 60-hour weeks due to chronic understaffing is not uncommon, allowing air traffic controllers to significantly boost their earnings in this small yet pivotal market.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,177 | $37.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,047 | $46.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,787 | $64.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,249 | $81.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,432 | $90.59 |
Median Salary Position
11.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,255 (2026 est.). At $134,787, the local median is 11.26% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bern: You'd be above the median
How New Bern Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
New Bern median: $134,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,398 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.26% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in New Bern, NC earn a median of $134,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.26% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $137,398.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern 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.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,003 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,144
2025 BLS Actual
$131,410
2026 Current Est.
$134,787
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,738 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,143 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,915 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,144 (2019) to $131,410 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,107 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $78,177 – $97,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,047 – $134,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,787 – $170,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,249 – $188,432 |
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 New Bern
The local job market for air traffic controllers in New Bern employs a modest total of seven professionals, contributing to an overall competitive field. A cost of living index of 93.6 indicates that while salaries are slightly lower than the national average, purchasing power is relatively favorable for those residing in the area. Among the employers in New Bern, the FAA's approach control facilities generally offer the highest pay, particularly those involved in terminal operations. Factors that influence the salary range include the type of facility—en route centers offer higher pay scales compared to towers—as well as an individual controller's CPC certification, shift differentials, and the added income from overtime. Maximizing earnings in New Bern hinges on seeking roles at higher-tier facilities, accepting night and weekend shifts, and being proactive in taking advantage of overtime opportunities afforded by the staffing shortages in the profession.
More salary data for New Bern, 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 $131,410 for air traffic controllersin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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