Air Traffic Controller Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $136,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $136,801/year (≈ $65.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $149,021 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the earning potential for air traffic controllers averages a median annual salary of $136,801 in 2026. This figure shows a notable contrast to the national median salary of $151,886, positioning the local pay about 9.93% lower. Salary expectations for air traffic controllers in this area span from $79,344 at the 10th percentile to as much as $199,803 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse pay range influenced by various factors including facility tier. This data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost differences, highlights the nuanced earning potential linked to operational facility types, such as en route centers versus terminal and tower facilities in the Oak Ridge job market.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,344 | $38.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,497 | $47.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,801 | $65.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,869 | $83.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,803 | $96.06 |
Median Salary Position
9.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,459 (2026 est.). At $136,801, the local median is 9.93% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $136,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $139,450 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.93% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $136,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.93% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $139,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge 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.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,801 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,021 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,775
2025 BLS Actual
$133,373
2026 Current Est.
$136,801
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,775 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,287 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,316 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,775 (2019) to $133,373 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,541 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $79,344 – $98,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,497 – $136,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,801 – $172,869 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,869 – $199,803 |
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 Oak Ridge
The local air traffic control job market is relatively small, with only six air traffic controllers currently employed in the Oak Ridge area. This number underlines the impact of the regional cost-of-living index of 91.8, suggesting that controllers' take-home pay may allow for a decent standard of living given the lower-than-average costs. Higher salaries are generally found in FAA en route centers compared to terminal and tower operations. The discrepancy in salaries can be traced back to facility levels—en route Level 12 facilities typically offer better compensation. To maximize earning potential, controllers can enhance their pay through shift differentials for night and weekend work, pursuing CPC certification, and taking advantage of abundant overtime opportunities in an industry grappling with chronic understaffing. As one navigates the air traffic control realm in Oak Ridge, understanding these dynamics can lead to significant financial benefits in this career path.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 $133,373 for air traffic controllersin the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge 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