Air Traffic Controller Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $150,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $150,237/year (≈ $72.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $145,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Charlottesville, Virginia, will see a median annual salary of $150,237, which is slightly lower than the national median of $151,886. This compensation reflects a salary range from $87,137 at the 10th percentile to $212,620 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse income spectrum based on experience, facility level, and role. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, give insight into pay dynamics in the Charlottesville market. Those at en route Level 12 facilities generally earn higher salaries compared to colleagues at terminal Level 11 and tower Level 7 positions. Thus, understanding the tier of facility in which one works is fundamental to grasping potential earnings.
About the Charlottesville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,137 | $41.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,347 | $52.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,237 | $72.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,340 | $92.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,620 | $102.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,483 (2026 est.). At $150,237, the local median is 1.09% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be above the median
How Charlottesville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $150,237/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $156,824 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.09% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $150,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $156,824.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,237 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,578 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,655
2025 BLS Actual
$146,473
2026 Current Est.
$150,237
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,655 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,459 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,473 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,655 (2019) to $146,473 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,443 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $87,137 – $109,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,347 – $150,237 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,237 – $191,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,340 – $212,620 |
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 Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, the job market is relatively small, with only 10 air traffic controllers currently employed in the area. This limited pool may contribute to the competitive nature of hiring and promotion, further impacting salaries. The local cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, indicating that while salaries are robust, purchasing power may be slightly diminished compared to lower-cost areas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), primarily through en route centers, offers the highest compensation opportunities, with additional earnings derived from shift differentials and mandatory overtime. Maximizing pay in this environment can involve seeking employment in these en route facilities or pursuing certifications that lead to higher pay grades, such as the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status. In a market like Charlottesville, understanding the variables that drive pay becomes crucial for making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
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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 $146,473 for air traffic controllersin the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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