North Carolina Median
$129,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#23 of 43
410 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in North Carolina?
An Air Traffic Controller working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $129,230 per year, or about $62.13 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $88,690 while the top 10% make $191,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $104,640 and $169,520 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,690 | $42.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $104,640 | $50.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,230 | $62.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $169,520 | $81.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $191,530 | $92.08 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 23rd out of 43 states and territories for Air Traffic Controller pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Air Traffic Controller salary in other states
Virginia $191,820Illinois $181,560Georgia $178,420Colorado $177,380Minnesota $176,840Texas $170,080Washington $162,570California $160,080Kansas $159,700Indiana $158,810Hawaii $158,700Utah $158,310Tennessee $157,330New Mexico $148,550Florida $147,530New York $144,960Connecticut $140,940Nevada $140,920Arizona $136,800Pennsylvania $132,350New Jersey $132,230Maryland $131,290Kentucky $127,800Rhode Island $126,300Massachusetts $125,060Alaska $123,950Oklahoma $123,220Missouri $122,200Michigan $118,930Alabama $114,960South Carolina $112,030Nebraska $111,710Arkansas $109,760Vermont $109,140North Dakota $107,990Maine $107,270Montana $101,380Louisiana $99,810Wyoming $93,580Iowa $90,790Mississippi $88,110District of Columbia $47,760
Working as an Air Traffic Controller in North Carolina
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($129,230) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in North Carolina?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in North Carolina is $129,230 per year, or about $62.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $88,690 at the entry level to $191,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Air Traffic Controllers about 13% less than the national median of $148,080. North Carolina ranks 23rd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $129,230 a year. About 410 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Air Traffic Controller salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.