Air Traffic Controller Salary in Kingsport, TN: $138,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Kingsport, TN earns a median $138,605/year (≈ $66.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $150,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an air traffic controller in Kingsport, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $138,605, which trails behind the national median of $151,886 by approximately 8.74%. Salary figures for air traffic controllers in the area reflect a range from $80,391 at the 10th percentile to $206,305 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential especially for those in higher-tier facilities. This salary data, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlights that the compensation landscape for air traffic controllers can vary substantially based on facility type, with en route stations generally offering higher salaries than terminal and tower operations. For controllers considering their career trajectories in Kingsport, understanding these nuances is crucial as they navigate opportunities in their profession.
About the Kingsport Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,391 | $38.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,795 | $47.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,605 | $66.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,414 | $85.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,305 | $99.19 |
Median Salary Position
8.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,914 (2026 est.). At $138,605, the local median is 8.74% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $138,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $139,442 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -8.74% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $138,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the Tennessee state average of $139,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport 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.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $138,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $150,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,236
2025 BLS Actual
$135,132
2026 Current Est.
$138,605
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,236 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,016 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,686 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,368 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,808 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,132 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $112,236 (2019) to $135,132 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,931 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $80,391 – $99,795 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,795 – $138,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,605 – $177,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,414 – $206,305 |
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 Kingsport
With only eight air traffic controllers currently employed in Kingsport, the local job market presents a unique opportunity for those aspiring to join this field. The cost of living in the area, represented by a CoL index of 91.8, suggests that salaries stretch further here compared to the national average, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle even at lower pay scales. Among local employers, positions at FAA en route centers and terminal TRACONs tend to offer the most competitive compensation. Factors influencing salary discrepancies include facility level, CPC certification status, shift differentials for various hours, and abundant opportunities for mandatory overtime, all contributing to potential earnings. To maximize earnings in this market, controllers should seek positions in en route facilities and aim to obtain CPC certification while being aware of the implications of mandatory retirement at age 56 as they plan their career trajectories.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Kingsport, TN in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Kingsport?
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Related Pages
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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 $135,132 for air traffic controllersin the Kingsport 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 Kingsport 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