Air Traffic Controller Salary in Florence, SC: $132,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Florence, SC earns a median $132,945/year (≈ $63.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $145,295 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Florence, SC, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $132,945, a figure that reflects the economic pressures of the industry. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $77,108 at the lower end to $183,258 for the top earners, showcasing the varied compensation tied to specific roles and responsibilities. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and account for regional price adjustments. The local market dynamics contribute to how much air traffic controllers can earn, particularly in light of the chronic understaffing that necessitates longer work hours, often extending into 50-60 hours per week for controllers, thus effectively increasing their overall compensation.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,108 | $37.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,834 | $47.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,945 | $63.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,338 | $79.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,258 | $88.11 |
Median Salary Position
12.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,150 (2026 est.). At $132,945, the local median is 12.47% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Florence median: $132,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,916 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.47% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Florence, SC earn a median of $132,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.47% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.90% below the South Carolina state average of $136,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence 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.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,295 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,653
2025 BLS Actual
$129,614
2026 Current Est.
$132,945
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,653 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,156 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,758 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,362 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,653 (2019) to $129,614 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,362 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,709 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $77,108 – $98,834 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,834 – $132,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,945 – $166,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,338 – $183,258 |
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 Florence
With just nine air traffic controllers employed in the Florence area, competition for optimal positions is minimal, yet the cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating a lower-than-average expense for residents. This favorable cost of living enhances take-home pay, allowing controllers to maximize their purchasing power. Among the employers in the area, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay due to the complexity of the airspace they manage. To boost earnings in Florence, controllers can focus on obtaining CPC certifications, which lead to significant pay increases, and actively pursue overtime opportunities, especially given the frequent staff shortages. Understanding the tiered pay system based on facility level—where en route positions often command higher salaries than tower jobs—can also guide career advancement decisions for aspiring air traffic controllers in Florence, SC.
More salary data for Florence, 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 $129,614 for air traffic controllersin the Florence 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 Florence 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