Air Traffic Controller Salary in Gallatin, TN: $135,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Gallatin, TN earns a median $135,199/year (≈ $65.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Gallatin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $147,276 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gallatin, Tennessee, the compensation structure for air traffic controllers reflects a compelling financial outlook, with the estimated median annual salary set at $135,199 in 2026. This figure is in the context of a salary range that spans from $78,415 to $194,358. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive market for aspiring controllers, particularly given the potential for initial earnings through the Comprehensive Pilot Program (CPC), where controllers can reach full pay within 1-3 years of starting. While the local salaries are about 10.99% lower than the national median of $151,886, Gallatin's job environment benefits from relatively low living costs, making positions in this region attractive.
About the Gallatin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,415 | $37.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,299 | $48.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,199 | $65.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,054 | $83.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,358 | $93.44 |
Median Salary Position
10.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gallatin
In Gallatin, TN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,943 (2026 est.). At $135,199, the local median is 10.99% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gallatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gallatin Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Gallatin median: $135,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gallatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $139,380 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.99% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Gallatin, TN earn a median of $135,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.99% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.00% below the Tennessee state average of $139,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gallatin 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.
Gallatin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $135,199 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,276 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$109,478
2025 BLS Actual
$131,811
2026 Current Est.
$135,199
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Gallatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,478 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,091 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,811 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gallatin metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $109,478 (2019) to $131,811 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,195 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gallatin 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) | $78,415 – $100,299 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,299 – $135,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,199 – $173,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,054 – $194,358 |
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 Gallatin
The job market for air traffic controllers in Gallatin remains stable, with 11 professionals currently employed in this field. The area's cost of living index of 91.8 suggests that take-home purchasing power could be higher than in many other regions. Controllers at FAA en route facilities typically command the highest salaries, followed by those in terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers (ATCT). Variability in compensation arises from factors like facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. With mandatory overtime prevalent due to chronic staffing shortages, controllers can significantly increase their earnings. For prospective employees, securing a position at a higher-paying facility, obtaining rapid CPC certification, and maximizing shifts, particularly during weekends and holidays, are effective strategies to enhance air traffic controller pay in Gallatin, TN.
More salary data for Gallatin, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Gallatin, TN in 2026?
Is Gallatin, TN a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Gallatin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Gallatin?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Gallatin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $131,811 for air traffic controllersin the Gallatin 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 Gallatin 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