Air Traffic Controller Salary in Charleston, SC: $141,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Charleston, SC earns a median $141,305/year (≈ $67.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $154,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, air traffic controllers can expect a median annual salary of $141,305 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $151,886. The salary range for this profession in Charleston spans from $81,957 at the lower 10th percentile to $210,816 for the top 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local market conditions, setting the context for earnings that reflect the facility tier level. Controllers working in en route capacities generally command higher salaries compared to their terminal or tower counterparts due to the complexity of managing high-altitude traffic.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,957 | $39.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,739 | $48.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,305 | $67.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,870 | $86.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,816 | $101.35 |
Median Salary Position
6.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,859 (2026 est.). At $141,305, the local median is 6.97% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Charleston median: $141,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,923 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.97% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Charleston, SC earn a median of $141,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.97% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $136,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston 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.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $141,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,432 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,422
2025 BLS Actual
$137,764
2026 Current Est.
$141,305
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,422 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,711 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,037 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,028 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,764 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $114,422 (2019) to $137,764 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,514 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $81,957 – $101,739 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,739 – $141,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,305 – $180,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,870 – $210,816 |
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 Charleston
Maintaining a position in Charleston’s air traffic control sector can be competitive, with 25 controllers currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index, positioned at 91.5, suggests that take-home pay allows for better purchasing power than in many cities nationwide. Among employers, the FAA facilities, particularly en route centers, tend to offer the highest compensation. Factors such as facility tier, certification status, shift differentials, and overtime play a significant role in the wide salary range. Controllers aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Charleston, SC, should consider gaining Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status and seeking opportunities for mandatory overtime, as well as shifts during peak times to benefit from additional pay differentials.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Charleston, SC in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Charleston?
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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 $137,764 for air traffic controllersin the Charleston 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 Charleston 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