Air Traffic Controller Salary in Greenville, SC: $137,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Greenville, SC earns a median $137,899/year (≈ $66.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $150,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Greenville, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $137,899, which falls below the national median of $151,886. The local salary ranges from $79,982 at the 10th percentile to $195,436 at the 90th percentile, reflecting considerable variability based on experience and position. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities. In Greenville's competitive job market, where only ten air traffic controllers are employed, the potential for substantial earnings in this profession is tempered by the required timeline to achieve full pay through the FAA's certification process, which can take one to three years depending on individual advancement and developmental controller roles.
About the Greenville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,982 | $38.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,288 | $47.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,899 | $66.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,866 | $84.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,436 | $93.96 |
Median Salary Position
9.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,454 (2026 est.). At $137,899, the local median is 9.21% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be above the median
How Greenville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Greenville median: $137,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,941 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.21% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Greenville, SC earn a median of $137,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.21% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% above the South Carolina state average of $136,941.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville 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.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $137,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,709 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,664
2025 BLS Actual
$134,444
2026 Current Est.
$137,899
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,664 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,802 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,072 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,729 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,444 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,664 (2019) to $134,444 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,779 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $79,982 – $99,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,288 – $137,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,899 – $174,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,866 – $195,436 |
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 Greenville
Looking deeper into the Greenville air traffic controller pay context, the cost of living index stands at 91.5, which indicates a lower purchasing power compared to the national average. Controllers working at FAA en route centers or terminal facilities generally earn higher salaries than their counterparts in airport control towers. Compensation is influenced by factors such as facility tier, which ranks en route positions higher than terminal and tower positions, as well as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the frequency of crucial overtime. Strategies for maximizing earnings in Greenville include seeking opportunities at higher-tier FAA facilities, acquiring CPC certification as swiftly as possible, and taking advantage of overtime due to chronic understaffing in air traffic control, especially since mandatory retirement at age 56 creates ongoing gaps in experienced personnel.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 $134,444 for air traffic controllersin the Greenville 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 Greenville 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