Air Traffic Controller Salary in Thomasville, NC: $134,841 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Thomasville, NC earns a median $134,841/year (≈ $64.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Thomasville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $144,061 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Thomasville, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $134,841, reflecting the realities of local market conditions and cost of living adjustments based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data. The salary range for these professionals spans from $78,208 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $196,585 at the higher end (P90). This compensation model underscores the variance based on experience and facility types, which can include employment at FAA en route centers, terminal radars, or airport control towers. Given the ongoing challenges of staffing and the demand for qualified controllers, Thomasville offers a competitive salary environment for air traffic controllers seeking to advance their careers in a field characterized by growth potential and vitality.
About the Thomasville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,208 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,086 | $46.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,841 | $64.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,575 | $80.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,585 | $94.51 |
Median Salary Position
11.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thomasville
In Thomasville, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,377 (2026 est.). At $134,841, the local median is 11.22% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thomasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thomasville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Thomasville median: $134,841/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thomasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,452 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.22% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Thomasville, NC earn a median of $134,841 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $137,452.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thomasville 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.
Thomasville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,841 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,061 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,188
2025 BLS Actual
$131,462
2026 Current Est.
$134,841
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Thomasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,188 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,784 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,189 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,462 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,841 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thomasville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,188 (2019) to $131,462 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,118 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thomasville 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) | $78,208 – $97,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,086 – $134,841 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,841 – $167,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,575 – $196,585 |
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 Thomasville
With only four air traffic controllers currently employed in Thomasville, the local job market demonstrates some limitations but also reflects the unique opportunities available within the sector. The cost of living index in Thomasville stands at 93.6, which suggests that living expenses are generally lower than the national average, enhancing purchasing power for those in the profession. The highest-paying employers in the area may be affiliated with FAA terminal radar approach control facilities or local airport traffic control towers, depending on specific operational levels. Factors influencing the wage distribution include the facility type—where en route controllers typically earn more than tower personnel—as well as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime work due to chronic understaffing in recent years. For controllers in Thomasville, maximizing salary potential could involve targeting positions at facilities with higher tiers and actively seeking overtime opportunities, since these can significantly boost overall earnings while navigating the federal FG pay scale.
More salary data for Thomasville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $131,462 for air traffic controllersin the Thomasville 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 Thomasville 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