Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tega Cay, SC: $126,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tega Cay, SC earns a median $126,331/year (≈ $60.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tega Cay's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $138,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, air traffic controllers in Tega Cay, SC, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,331, which is notably lower than the national median of $151,886 by approximately 16.83%. The local salary range spans from $73,272 (10th percentile) to $171,377 (90th percentile), highlighting the potential for earnings variability based on experience and skill level. Estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parity, reflecting economic conditions in the area. With a timeline of 1-3 years for complete CPC certification, aspiring controllers in Tega Cay can strategize their professional development to align their earnings more closely with those of their peers at higher-paying facilities.
About the Tega Cay Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,272 | $35.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,365 | $44.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,331 | $60.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,504 | $75.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,377 | $82.39 |
Median Salary Position
16.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tega Cay
In Tega Cay, SC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,105 (2026 est.). At $126,331, the local median is 16.83% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tega Cay: You'd be above the median
How Tega Cay Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tega Cay median: $126,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tega Cay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $136,870 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -16.83% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tega Cay, SC earn a median of $126,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.83% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.70% below the South Carolina state average of $136,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tega Cay 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.
Tega Cay, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $126,331 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,067 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,297
2025 BLS Actual
$123,166
2026 Current Est.
$126,331
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tega Cay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,999 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,521 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,578 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tega Cay metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $102,297 (2019) to $123,166 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,578 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,281 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tega Cay 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) | $73,272 – $92,365 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,365 – $126,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,331 – $157,504 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,504 – $171,377 |
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 Tega Cay
The job market for air traffic controllers in Tega Cay remains focused, with just four professionals in this role currently employed. The local cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power for the region can still be favorable. The highest salaries are typically offered by FAA en route centers, which oversee high-altitude traffic, compared to terminal and tower facilities. Multiple factors influence the disparity in pay, including the facility level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and opportunities for mandatory overtime. Those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Tega Cay should focus on obtaining CPC certification, leverage overtime opportunities, and consider the timing of their shift assignments to benefit from potential pay increases.
More salary data for Tega Cay, 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 $123,166 for air traffic controllersin the Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay 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