Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $127,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $127,394/year (≈ $61.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $136,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pinehurst, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is $127,394, reflecting a significant regional demand against the backdrop of a national median of $151,886. The local salary range extends from approximately $74,105 at the 10th percentile to $174,217 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied compensation depending on factors such as facility type and experience level. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. Given that Pinehurst currently employs four air traffic controllers, an examination of job opportunities and competitive pay becomes essential for understanding this profession within the local context.
About the Pinehurst Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,105 | $35.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,861 | $45.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,394 | $61.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,410 | $76.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,217 | $83.76 |
Median Salary Position
16.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,112 (2026 est.). At $127,394, the local median is 16.13% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be above the median
How Pinehurst Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $127,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,426 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.13% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $127,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.13% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $137,426.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst 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.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $127,394 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,105 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,158
2025 BLS Actual
$124,202
2026 Current Est.
$127,394
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,723 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,202 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,668 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $103,158 (2019) to $124,202 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,668 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,510 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $74,105 – $93,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,861 – $127,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,394 – $159,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,410 – $174,217 |
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 Pinehurst
The local job market for air traffic controllers in Pinehurst features a relatively small workforce, with only four individuals currently employed in this capacity, creating a tighter job atmosphere. The cost of living index in Pinehurst is 93.6, which is below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local air traffic controller pay, especially when compared to national rates. Among the compensation tiers in the area, the highest salaries are typically found at FAA en route centers, which provide higher pay grades due to handling long-distance traffic. The disparity between the lower and higher salary figures depends on various factors, including the facility level, CPC certification status, and possible additional earnings through overtime and shift differentials. For air traffic controllers in Pinehurst seeking to optimize their earnings, pursuing certification and retaining flexibility for overtime work can be advantageous strategies in an environment characterized by chronic understaffing and staffing needs driven by federal employment policies.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $124,202 for air traffic controllersin the Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst 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