BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Air Traffic Controllers in North Carolina

$136,490 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$65.62 per hour

▼ 6.8% below U.S. average22nd of 43 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$136,490per year
Median$129,230per year
Hourly$65.62per hour
10th – 90th percentile$88,690 – $191,530per year

Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$88,690
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$104,640
  • 50th Percentile — Median$129,230
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$169,520
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$191,530

Half of Air Traffic Controllers in North Carolina earn more than $129,230. The top 10% make $191,530 or more, while entry-level workers start around $88,690.

Air Traffic Controllers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 22nd of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $136,490 per year (6.8% below the U.S. average of $146,490).
  • 410 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in North Carolina — 1.8% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.57: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $88,690; the top 10% earn over $191,530.
  • Hourly equivalent: $65.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
  • Among transportation jobs in North Carolina, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($148,500).

Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $136,490 on average, placing the state 22nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $136,490 is roughly equivalent to $149,989 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Connecticut ($141,920), Arizona ($140,340), New Mexico ($140,280) are the closest alternatives for Air Traffic Controllers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in North Carolina?

The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in North Carolina is $136,490 per year (median $129,230), which is 6.8% below the national average of $146,490.

How does North Carolina rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?

North Carolina ranks 22nd out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).

How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in North Carolina earn about $88,690 per year and the 25th percentile is $104,640.

How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $65.62 per hour, based on the $136,490 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Air Traffic Controllers work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 410 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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