Air Traffic Controller Salary in Sumter, SC: $130,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Sumter, SC earns a median $130,405/year (≈ $62.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Sumter's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $142,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $130,405, reflecting a significant income considering the local economic landscape. With a salary range from $75,635 at the bottom percentile to $187,569 at the top, these figures highlight the earning potential within the profession. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, suggest that while salaries here are lower compared to the national median of $151,886, they are still compelling given the cost of living index of 91.5, which is notably below the national average. The job market for air traffic controllers in Sumter, with only eight individuals currently employed in this role, indicates a relatively tight competition and the potential for additional workload due to chronic understaffing in the FAA.
About the Sumter Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,635 | $36.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,908 | $45.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,405 | $62.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,919 | $80.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,569 | $90.18 |
Median Salary Position
14.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sumter
In Sumter, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,934 (2026 est.). At $130,405, the local median is 14.14% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sumter: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sumter Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Sumter median: $130,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sumter Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,981 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -14.14% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Sumter, SC earn a median of $130,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.14% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $136,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sumter 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.
Sumter, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $130,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,596
2025 BLS Actual
$127,138
2026 Current Est.
$130,405
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,596 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,925 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,138 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,757 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sumter metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $105,596 (2019) to $127,138 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,757 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,161 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sumter 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) | $75,635 – $93,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,908 – $130,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,405 – $166,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,919 – $187,569 |
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 Sumter
The cost of living in Sumter plays a significant role in the overall compensation picture for air traffic controllers, affecting take-home purchasing power. Local employers, primarily FAA facility types including Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and municipal tower services, influence pay scales, with en route centers traditionally offering higher compensation structures. Factors contributing to the wide pay range include the type of facility, certification status, and overtime opportunities, particularly given the chronic understaffing issues that have persisted in the air traffic control sector. Shifts can garner differentials, further bolstering potential earnings. To maximize pay in Sumter SC, aspiring or current controllers should pursue opportunities in higher-tier facilities while remaining open to overtime, allowing for a robust income amid the competitive landscape of air traffic controller pay in Sumter.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $127,138 for air traffic controllersin the Sumter 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 Sumter 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