Air Traffic Controller Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $134,698 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $134,698/year (≈ $64.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $147,211 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the realm of air traffic controller pay in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the projected 2026 median annual salary is $134,698, reflecting a noteworthy deviation from the national average of $151,886. Wage figures span a broad spectrum, with entry-level compensations beginning at $78,543 and potentially reaching $184,022 for the most experienced professionals. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reveal the competition within the sector, particularly when distinguishing between roles, such as those based at FAA en route centers versus terminal radar approach control facilities, which generally command higher salaries. As the Myrtle Beach market gradually evolves, job seekers should take into account both the projected salary range and the local cost of living when evaluating opportunities in this field.
About the Myrtle Beach Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,543 | $37.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,698 | $64.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,831 | $80.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,022 | $88.48 |
Median Salary Position
11.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,479 (2026 est.). At $134,698, the local median is 11.32% below the national median of $151,886.
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How Myrtle Beach Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $134,698/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,888 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -11.32% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $134,698 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.32% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.60% below the South Carolina state average of $136,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach 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.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $134,698 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,211 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,072
2025 BLS Actual
$131,323
2026 Current Est.
$134,698
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,072 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,661 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,067 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,834 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,323 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,698 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,160 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,072 (2019) to $131,323 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,160 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,088 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $78,543 – $99,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,310 – $134,698 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,698 – $167,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,831 – $184,022 |
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 Myrtle Beach
In a market where only five air traffic controllers are currently employed, the dynamics of Myrtle Beach's compensation are influenced by several factors, including a cost-of-living index of 91.5, which signals that purchasing power may be more favorable than in higher-cost areas. Employers such as FAA terminal facilities and military air traffic control positions typically offer the most lucrative pay, driven by the complexities associated with maintaining safe airspace management. Key elements influencing pay variations include facility level, which sees en route roles (Level 12) earning more than tower positions (Level 7), along with shift differentials and overtime—crucial in a post-2013 environment marked by staffing shortages. Those aiming to maximize their air traffic controller salary in Myrtle Beach SC should strategize on acquiring CPC certification, considering the prevailing benefits during peak traffic seasons and using their development stage effectively to reach higher earnings potential earlier in their careers.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Myrtle Beach?
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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 $131,323 for air traffic controllersin the Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach 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