Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $136,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $136,016/year (≈ $65.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $148,651 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hilton Head Island, the compensation for air traffic controllers reflects both the specialized nature of the role and the location's economic context. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $136,016, a figure that is notably lower than the national average of $151,886. This salary range varies from $78,890 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $193,592 at the upper end (90th percentile), indicating a diverse pay scale shaped by the facility tier system prevalent within FAA operations. Controllers working in higher-tier en route facilities typically command more significant salaries compared to their counterparts in terminal and tower facilities. Therefore, potential candidates contemplating their career in air traffic control should weigh these dynamics carefully within Hilton Head Island’s job market.
About the Hilton Head Island Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,932 | $47.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,016 | $65.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,897 | $83.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,592 | $93.07 |
Median Salary Position
10.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,702 (2026 est.). At $136,016, the local median is 10.45% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be above the median
How Hilton Head Island Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $136,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,975 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.45% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $136,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.45% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the South Carolina state average of $136,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island 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.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,016 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,651 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,140
2025 BLS Actual
$132,608
2026 Current Est.
$136,016
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,193 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,432 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,611 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,140 (2019) to $132,608 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,372 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $78,890 – $97,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,932 – $136,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,016 – $173,897 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,897 – $193,592 |
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 Hilton Head Island
Focusing on the local job market, there are currently six air traffic controllers employed in Hilton Head Island, a relatively small pool that emphasizes the specialized nature of this occupation. With a cost of living index of 91.5, the region presents a financially advantageous environment, allowing for a more favorable take-home pay when compared to many urban centers. Among employers, FAA en route centers tend to offer the highest salaries, whereas tower and terminal positions typically yield less. Factors influencing the variability in air traffic controller pay in Hilton Head Island include facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers can further maximize their earnings through overtime opportunities, often necessitated by understaffing challenges. For those looking to enhance their air traffic controller pay in Hilton Head Island, aiming for positions in en route facilities, negotiating for overtime, and pursuing developmental roles can lead to significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Hilton Head Island?
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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 $132,608 for air traffic controllersin the Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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