Air Traffic Controller Salary in Mount Pleasant, SC: $138,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Mount Pleasant, SC earns a median $138,940/year (≈ $66.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Mount Pleasant's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $151,847 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Mount Pleasant, SC are projected to earn a median annual salary of $138,940. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $80,585 and top earners potentially making as much as $198,689. These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parities. While the local compensation is competitive, it does fall below the national median, which is anticipated to be $151,886 for the same year. As the air traffic control profession continues to evolve, these salary dynamics indicate a noteworthy opportunity for those entering the field, especially considering the timeline for achieving full CPC certification, which can take one to three years.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,585 | $38.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,037 | $48.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,940 | $66.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,574 | $85.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,689 | $95.52 |
Median Salary Position
8.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,104 (2026 est.). At $138,940, the local median is 8.52% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Pleasant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Pleasant Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Mount Pleasant median: $138,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Pleasant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,887 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.52% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $138,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.52% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $136,887.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Pleasant 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.
Mount Pleasant, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $138,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,847 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,507
2025 BLS Actual
$135,459
2026 Current Est.
$138,940
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,507 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,304 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,691 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,671 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,053 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Pleasant metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $112,507 (2019) to $135,459 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,004 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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) | $80,585 – $100,037 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,037 – $138,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,940 – $177,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,574 – $198,689 |
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 Mount Pleasant
Examining the local job market reveals that Mount Pleasant is home to 19 air traffic controllers, highlighting a niche but essential workforce in the aviation sector. The region benefits from a low cost of living index of 91.5, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries received. Among the employers, FAA en route centers typically offer the highest pay structures, significantly benefitting controllers with their CPC certification by positioning them in higher-paying facilities like Level 12 en route centers compared to Level 7 airport towers. Variations in pay are influenced by factors such as shift differentials, overtime availability, and locality pay—areas where Mount Pleasant's market aligns with national trends. To maximize earnings, controllers should seek shifts that offer higher differentials and consider taking on additional overtime. With the impending mandatory retirement age of 56 and chronic staffing challenges, there are also prospects for growth and stability in this essential occupation in Mount Pleasant, SC.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 $135,459 for air traffic controllersin the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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