Air Traffic Controller Salary in South Carolina: $135,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $135,970/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $148,601 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Charleston ($137,764), North Charleston ($137,710), Columbia ($136,987).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is projected to be $135,970, which is approximately 10.5% lower than the national median of $151,886. The city of Charleston offers the highest salary at $141,305, while Clemson pays the lowest at $126,094, indicating a salary gap of $15,211. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for air traffic services, and the concentration of airports in certain areas. The state has specific licensing requirements and regulations that air traffic controllers must follow, which can affect job opportunities. Additionally, strong demand in urban areas like Charleston and North Charleston, where average salaries are $141,249, contributes to favorable job prospects. Overall, South Carolina's employment for air traffic controllers is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.57%, demonstrating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Columbia ($140,508), Mount Pleasant ($138,940), and Greenville ($137,899) also show strong earning potential, indicating that there are opportunities across various metropolitan areas in the state.
South Carolina Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $73,134 (lowest entry-level) to $210,816 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina air traffic controllers earn 10.48% less than the national median ($-15,916/year difference).
South Carolina Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in South Carolina range from $78,887 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $194,424 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,970. The South Carolina median is $15,916 below the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $65.37/hr. Approximately 240 air traffic controllers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$110,102
2025 BLS Actual
$132,563
2026 Current Est.
$135,970
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,154 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,392 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,053 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,563 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,464 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,102 (2019) to $132,563 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,464 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,362 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $141,305 | 91.5 | $154,432 |
| North Charleston | $141,249 | 91.5 | $154,370 |
| Columbia | $140,508 | 91.5 | $153,561 |
| Mount Pleasant | $138,940 | 91.5 | $151,847 |
| Greenville | $137,899 | 91.5 | $150,709 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,887 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,970 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $194,424 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $141,305 |
| 2 | North Charleston | $141,249 |
| 3 | Columbia | $140,508 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $138,940 |
| 5 | Greenville | $137,899 |
| 6 | Rock Hill | $136,380 |
| 7 | Greer | $136,026 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island | $136,016 |
| 9 | Anderson | $135,889 |
| 10 | Aiken | $135,782 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $135,591 |
| 12 | Mauldin | $134,794 |
| 13 | Myrtle Beach | $134,698 |
| 14 | Summerville | $134,070 |
| 15 | Florence | $132,945 |
| 16 | Spartanburg | $132,892 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $131,861 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $131,799 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $131,490 |
| 20 | Sumter | $130,405 |
| 21 | Bluffton | $130,300 |
| 22 | Lexington | $129,338 |
| 23 | Easley | $127,032 |
| 24 | Conway | $126,342 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $126,331 |
| 26 | Clemson | $126,094 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new air traffic controllers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in South Carolina?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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