Air Traffic Controller Salary in Columbia, SC: $140,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Columbia, SC earns a median $140,508/year (≈ $67.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $153,561 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, air traffic controllers can expect a median salary of $140,508 in 2026, reflecting the local market's dynamics. The projected salary range for these professionals spans from $81,494 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $202,382 at the 90th percentile (P90). These estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, considering that Columbia's cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to national metrics. The tier structure among facilities plays a vital role in shaping compensation, with en route controllers typically earning more than their terminal and tower counterparts, a key differentiation in this regional market.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,494 | $39.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,166 | $48.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,508 | $67.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,849 | $86.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,382 | $97.30 |
Median Salary Position
7.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,888 (2026 est.). At $140,508, the local median is 7.49% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Columbia median: $140,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,947 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.49% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Columbia, SC earn a median of $140,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.49% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% above the South Carolina state average of $136,947.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia 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.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $140,508 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,561 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,777
2025 BLS Actual
$136,987
2026 Current Est.
$140,508
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,987 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,119 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,777 (2019) to $136,987 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,119 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,342 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $81,494 – $101,166 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,166 – $140,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,508 – $179,849 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,849 – $202,382 |
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 Columbia
Examining Columbia's local job market reveals that there are currently 29 air traffic controllers employed in the area, driven by the demand for staffing amid chronic shortages in the aviation sector. This positions professionals here favorably within the broader context of the FAA, where specialized roles such as those at en route centers often deliver the most lucrative pay due to their handling of high-altitude air traffic. Shift differentials, which can add 10% to 100% for night shifts and holidays, alongside developmental pay structures linked to the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status, further influence take-home salaries. For air traffic controllers in Columbia, maximizing earnings may hinge on pursuing higher-tier positions and exploring overtime opportunities, given the persistent need for staff resilience amid age-related retirements and workforce attrition.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
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 $136,987 for air traffic controllersin the Columbia 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 Columbia 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