Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cookeville, TN: $132,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cookeville, TN earns a median $132,484/year (≈ $63.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $144,318 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Cookeville, TN can expect a median annual salary of $132,484, which is notably lower than the national median of $151,886. The local salary range spans from $76,840 at the 10th percentile to $184,966 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the different experience levels and responsibilities within this essential role. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the economic realities faced by controllers in Cookeville. The combination of understaffed facilities often necessitating 50-60 hour workweeks means that effective compensation can be significantly enhanced through overtime, a fact that local professionals should consider in their career planning.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,840 | $36.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,388 | $45.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,484 | $63.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,589 | $80.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,966 | $88.93 |
Median Salary Position
12.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,126 (2026 est.). At $132,484, the local median is 12.77% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be above the median
How Cookeville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $132,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $139,456 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -12.77% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $132,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.77% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $139,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville 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.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $132,484 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,318 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,279
2025 BLS Actual
$129,164
2026 Current Est.
$132,484
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,176 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,356 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,831 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,649 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,888 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $107,279 (2019) to $129,164 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,609 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $76,840 – $95,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,388 – $132,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,484 – $167,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,589 – $184,966 |
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 Cookeville
With only seven air traffic controllers employed in Cookeville, the local job market remains competitive yet limited. The region's cost of living index stands at 91.8, suggesting that purchasing power is relatively better compared to the national average, but still challenges controllers' take-home salaries. The highest-paying opportunities are likely found within FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach control facilities, which typically have the most substantial budgets, while contract towers usually come with lower salaries. Factors impacting salary variation include the facility's tier level, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and abundant overtime options. Controllers looking to maximize their earnings in this market should pursue advanced certifications, seek positions in higher-tier facilities, and be open to overtime shifts as a means of significantly boosting their income.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
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 $129,164 for air traffic controllersin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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