Air Traffic Controller Salary in Clarksville, TN: $137,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Clarksville, TN earns a median $137,890/year (≈ $66.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $150,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clarksville, Tennessee, the compensation for air traffic controllers reflects the nuanced hierarchies within the profession. The projected median annual salary stands at $137,890 for 2026, which is approximately 9.21% less than the national median of $151,886. The local salary range shows considerable variability, with entry-level positions earning around $79,976 at the 10th percentile and seasoned professionals capable of securing up to $207,815 at the 90th percentile. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, indicate that while pay is competitive, it may not match certain prime metropolitan areas. As Clarksville hosts a mix of FAA facilities, the specific tier of air traffic control position greatly influences earnings and growth opportunities in this job market.
About the Clarksville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,976 | $38.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,281 | $47.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,890 | $66.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,499 | $84.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,815 | $99.91 |
Median Salary Position
9.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,839 (2026 est.). At $137,890, the local median is 9.21% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clarksville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $137,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $139,424 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.21% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $137,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.21% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.10% below the Tennessee state average of $139,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $137,890 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,657
2025 BLS Actual
$134,435
2026 Current Est.
$137,890
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,064 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,721 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,435 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,434 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,657 (2019) to $134,435 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,434 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,777 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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) | $79,976 – $99,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,281 – $137,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,890 – $176,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,499 – $207,815 |
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 Clarksville
Clarksville comprises 30 employed air traffic controllers, providing a glimpse into the local employment landscape and the dynamics of air traffic controller pay in the region. With a cost of living index of 91.8, the purchasing power of air traffic controller salaries can stretch further than in many other areas, though the additional value of locality pay remains unutilized when compared to high-demand urban centers. The highest salaries typically emanate from FAA en route centers overseeing high-altitude traffic, as well as from specialized military control systems due to their unique operational requirements. Pay gaps arise from various factors, including facility tier levels, certification status, and the presence of overtime and shift differentials. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Clarksville, focusing on obtaining the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status and negotiating shifts could prove particularly advantageous in this specific market.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Clarksville?
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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 $134,435 for air traffic controllersin the Clarksville 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 Clarksville 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