Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $64.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Burlington, NC runs $64.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,660 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,798 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the air traffic controller hourly pay is projected to be $64.74 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $73.02. This wage reflects the growing demand in the field but also highlights the regional differences in compensation. For part-time controllers working three days a week, the expected pay translates into an annual income that may not rival that of their full-time counterparts. The position involves working in various environments, including en route centers and airport control towers, often requiring a high level of focus in settings that can be somewhat isolating. The hourly pay range in Burlington spans from approximately $37.55 for entry-level positions to $97.01 for the highest earners, illustrating the potential for significant wage growth as one advances in experience and responsibility.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.55 | $300.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.62 | $372.94 |
| Median (P50) | $64.74 | $517.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.87 | $662.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.01 | $776.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $64.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.74/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $134,664 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,691. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,589.69 | $11,222 | $134,664 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,553.81 | $6,733 | $80,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,035.87 | $4,489 | $53,865 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Burlington) | $64.74 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $134,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.34% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $137,408.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.74/hr = $80,798/year (purchasing power: $86,323).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,664/year (purchasing power: $143,872).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Burlington (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 | $55.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Burlington grew 20.4% from $52.43/hr (2019) to $63.12/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.41/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Analytically, part-time controllers taking on a 24-hour work week will see their annual earnings shaped significantly by both their scheduling choices and hours worked per diem. Many air traffic controllers in Burlington opt to work overtime, which can elevate their effective hourly compensation well beyond the stated base rate. Controllers at understaffed facilities might find themselves working 50-60 hours a week, where overtime complements their income and can result in annual totals that exceed initial projections by $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Additionally, different employers, like FAA en route centers and FAA contract towers, influence hourly pay which may lead some controllers to prioritize hourly wages versus health benefits. As the workforce ages, with mandatory retirement at 56 a standard, controllers nearing retirement may negotiate hourly pay plans differently, weighing immediate gains against long-term benefits. For current or aspiring air traffic controllers in Burlington, understanding these dynamics and negotiating based on the unique aspects of their working conditions can aid in maximizing their air traffic controller hourly rate NC in an ever-evolving industry.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Burlington 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
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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