Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bluffton, SC: $130,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bluffton, SC earns a median $130,300/year (≈ $62.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bluffton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $142,404 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controller salaries in Bluffton, South Carolina, demonstrate the nuanced economic dynamics of the region's aviation sector, with a projected median annual salary of $130,300 for 2026. This figure is quite a bit lower when compared to the national median of $151,886, indicating that while pay is competitive, it reflects the local demand and staffing conditions. The local salary range extends from $75,574 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $186,891 at the 90th percentile. Given the chronic understaffing across many facilities within the FAA system, where controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks, overtime becomes an essential element of total compensation in Bluffton’s air traffic control environment, effectively boosting earnings for those willing to commit extra hours.
About the Bluffton Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,574 | $36.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,816 | $45.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,300 | $62.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,784 | $80.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,891 | $89.85 |
Median Salary Position
14.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bluffton
In Bluffton, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,317 (2026 est.). At $130,300, the local median is 14.21% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bluffton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bluffton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bluffton median: $130,300/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bluffton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,870 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.21% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bluffton, SC earn a median of $130,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.21% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $136,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bluffton has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bluffton, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $130,300 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,404 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,511
2025 BLS Actual
$127,035
2026 Current Est.
$130,300
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bluffton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,885 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,856 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,836 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bluffton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $105,511 (2019) to $127,035 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,138 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bluffton 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) | $75,574 – $93,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,816 – $130,300 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,300 – $166,784 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,784 – $186,891 |
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 Bluffton
In Bluffton, there are currently six air traffic controllers employed, highlighting a tightly-knit local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, the purchasing power here is favorable for air traffic controllers when compared to many other parts of the country. The pay discrepancy among employers stems from various factors including the type of facility: en route centers typically offer higher pay scales than terminal or tower operations. Controllers seeking to maximize their earnings in Bluffton could benefit from pursuing positions at FAA en route centers, where salaries and overtime opportunities tend to be more lucrative. Additionally, advancing to the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, taking advantage of shift differentials, and being open to overtime can significantly impact total pay. Understanding these dynamics will be crucial for anyone exploring how much do air traffic controllers make in Bluffton SC.
More salary data for Bluffton, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Bluffton, SC in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Bluffton?
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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 $127,035 for air traffic controllersin the Bluffton 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 Bluffton 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