Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Mint Hill, NC: $64.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Mint Hill, NC runs $64.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Mint Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,849 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mint Hill, North Carolina, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $64.78, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This disparity highlights potential challenges for those working in various air traffic control environments, such as en route centers or airport control towers. For part-time or per-diem professionals—who may work three days a week—these figures translate into a significant income potential, but their earnings can vary widely based on the employer type and hours worked. The hourly range for controllers spans from $37.57 at the lower end to $90.54 for those at the top of their game. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary data in 2026, it’s essential to understand how roles at facilities like TRACONs and full-service towers can impact one’s overall pay experience in Mint Hill.
About the Mint Hill 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) | $37.57 | $300.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.65 | $373.19 |
| Median (P50) | $64.78 | $518.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.81 | $654.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.54 | $724.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mint Hill
Based on $64.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.78/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mint Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $134,749 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,740. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mint Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mint Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,591.33 | $11,229 | $134,749 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,554.80 | $6,737 | $80,849 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.53 | $4,492 | $53,900 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Mint Hill) | $64.78 |
| 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 Mint Hill, NC earn a median of $134,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.28% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $137,506.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.78/hr = $80,849/year (purchasing power: $86,378).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,749/year (purchasing power: $143,963).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mint Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Mint Hill grew 20.4% from $52.46/hr (2019) to $63.16/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.45/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 Mint Hill 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 Mint Hill
Working as a part-time air traffic controller in Mint Hill, where the effective hours amount to around 24 per week, can yield an annual income of approximately $81,330, significantly less than full-time counterparts enjoying the more substantial benefits of overtime and full-time positioning. In addition, controllers working overtime, often necessitated by chronic understaffing issues, may engage in 50 to 60 hours a week, driving their effective hourly compensation even higher through time-and-a-half pay. This is especially relevant for those in FAA-en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, or airport towers in Mint Hill, all of which may offer varied hourly rates based on employer type and job demands. Furthermore, the compensation in this field frequently considers health insurance as a significant factor in negotiations; controllers may opt for lower hourly rates if it means better benefits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for both current and aspiring air traffic controllers navigating their pay negotiations in the Mint Hill area.
More salary data for Mint Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Mint Hill. 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 Mint Hill 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