Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Cartersville, GA: $64.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Cartersville, GA runs $64.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Cartersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,811 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controller hourly pay in Cartersville, Georgia is projected to be $64.75, notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This discrepancy highlights the potential for part-time and per-diem workers in the area to earn competitive wages while managing flexible schedules in various operational settings. Controllers typically manage air traffic from en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, airport towers, and traffic management cells, which may affect the earning potential depending on the specific environment. The hourly rates range from $37.56 for entry-level positions to $85.79 for experienced controllers, reflecting the diverse pay structure that can be influenced by skills, certifications, and the specific employer's tier within the FAA system.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.56 | $300.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.63 | $373.03 |
| Median (P50) | $64.75 | $518.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.32 | $634.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.79 | $686.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cartersville
Based on $64.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.75/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cartersville, GA can expect to earn approximately $134,685 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,703. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cartersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cartersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,590.10 | $11,224 | $134,685 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,554.06 | $6,734 | $80,811 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.04 | $4,490 | $53,874 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Cartersville) | $64.75 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cartersville, GA earn a median of $134,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.32% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $141,333.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.75/hr = $80,811/year (purchasing power: $86,800).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,685/year (purchasing power: $144,667).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Cartersville grew 20.4% from $52.43/hr (2019) to $63.13/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cartersville 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Cartersville
When examining the practical aspects of air traffic controller pay in Cartersville, part-time controllers working three days a week can expect to take home considerably less annually than their full-time counterparts. Moreover, the realities of per-diem air traffic controller pay can lead to significantly higher earnings due to overtime, which many controllers at understaffed facilities frequently accumulate. It's common for controllers to work 50-60 hours a week, resulting in $50,000 to $100,000+ in annual overtime pay. The pay structure also varies by employer; FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and airport control towers each offer different hourly rates based on experience and location within Georgia. Some controllers may choose positions with lower pay but better health benefits, necessitating careful negotiation of compensation packages in Cartersville, especially given the chronic staffing shortages and the importance of strategic planning for future stability.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Cartersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cartersville 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